Search

The progenitor system of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) is expected to be a close binary system of a carbon/oxygen white dwarf (WD) and a non-degenerate star or another WD. Here, we present results from a high-cadence monitoring observation of SN 2021hpr in a spiral galaxy, NGC 3147, and constraints on the progenitor system based on its early multi-color light curve data. First, we classify SN 2021hpr as a normal SN Ia from its long-term photometric and spectroscopic data. More interestingly, we found a significant "early excess" in the light curve over a simple power-law $\sim t^{2}$ evolution. The early light curve evolves from blue to red and blue during the first week. To explain this, we fitted the early part of $BVRI$-band light curves with a two-component model of the ejecta-companion interaction and a simple power-law model. The early excess and its color can be explained by shock cooling emission due to a companion star having a radius of $8.84\pm0.58$$R_{\odot}$. We also examined HST pre-explosion images with no detection of a progenitor candidate, consistent with the above result. However, we could not detect signs of a significant amount of the stripped mass from a non-degenerate companion star ($\lesssim0.003\,M_{\odot}$ for H$\alpha$ emission). The early excess light in the multi-band light curve supports a non-degenerate companion in the progenitor system of SN 2021hpr. At the same time, the non-detection of emission lines opens a door for other methods to explain this event., Comment: 26 pages, 13 figures + appendix, Accepted for publication in ApJ

The purpose of this study was to develop a period analysis algorithm for detecting new variable stars in the time-series data observed by charge coupled device (CCD). We used the data from a variable star monitoring program of the CBNUO. The R filter data of some magnetic cataclysmic variables observed for more than 20 days were chosen to achieve good statistical results. World Coordinate System (WCS) Tools was used to correct the rotation of the observed images and assign the same IDs to the stars included in the analyzed areas. The developed algorithm was applied to the data of DO Dra, TT Ari, RXSJ1803, and MU Cam. In these fields, we found 13 variable stars, five of which were new variable stars not previously reported. Our period analysis algorithm were tested in the case of observation data mixed with various fields of view because the observations were carried with 2K CCD as well as 4K CCD at the CBNUO. Our results show that variable stars can be detected using our algorithm even with observational data for which the field of view has changed. Our algorithm is useful to detect new variable stars and analyze them based on existing time-series data. The developed algorithm can play an important role as a recycling technique for used data

UV Psc is a typical RS CVn type system undergoing dynamic chromosphere activity. We performed photometric observations of the system in 2015 and secured new BVR light curves showing well-defined photometric waves. In this paper, we analyzed the light curves using Wilson-Devinney binary code and investigated the orbital period of the system. The combination of our light curve synthesis with the spectroscopic solution developed by previous investigators yielded the absolute parameters as: M1 = 1.104 ± 0.042 Mⵙ, R1 = 1.165 ± 0.025 Rⵙ, and L1 = 1.361 ± 0.041 Lⵙ for the primary star, and M2 = 0.809 ± 0.082 Mⵙ, R2 = 0.858 ± 0.018 Rⵙ, and L2 = 0.339 ± 0.010 Lⵙ for the secondary star. The eclipse timing diagram for accurate CCD and photoelectric timings showed that the orbital period may vary either in a downward parabolic manner or a quasi-sinusoidal pattern. If the latter is adopted as a probable pattern for the period change, a more plausible account for the cyclic variation may be the light time effect caused by a circumbinary object rather than an Applegate-mechanism occurring via variable surface magnetic field strengths.

In this paper, analysis results of the photometric data of DO Dra will be presented. DO Dra had been observed with 1 m LOAO telescope and 0.6 m CBNUO telescope from 2005 through 2014. The data shows kind of periodic oscillation behavior in the orbital period and also in the spin period. It has been found that these QPOs are not observed always and that the periods vary from 30 min to 80 min. We also found that the period variation seems to repeat itself with the period of 13.5 days. It is essential to monitor this object in the future as well as to carry out model calculation in order to have better understanding of these QPO phenomena.

New observations for the times of minimum lights of a well-known apsidal motion star CW Cephei were made using a 0.6 m wide field telescope at Jincheon station of Chungbuk National University Observatory, Korea during the 2015 observational season. We determined new times of minimum lights from these observations and analyzed O-C diagrams together with collected times of minima to study both the apsidal motion and the Light Time Effect (LTE) suggested in the system. The new periods of the apsidal motion and the LTE were calculated as 46.6 and 39.3 years, respectively, which were similar but improved accuracy than earlier ones investigated by Han et al. (2002), Erdem et al. (2004) and Wolf et al. (2006).

The near-Earth asteroid 3200 Phaethon (1983 TB) is an attractive object not only from a scientific viewpoint but also because of JAXA's DESTINY+ target. The rotational lightcurve and spin properties were investigated based on the data obtained in the ground-based observation campaign of Phaethon. We aim to refine the lightcurves and shape model of Phaethon using all available lightcurve datasets obtained via optical observation, as well as our time-series observation data from the 2017 apparition. Using eight 1-2-m telescopes and an optical imager, we acquired the optical lightcurves and derived the spin parameters of Phaethon. We applied the lightcurve inversion method and SAGE algorithm to deduce the convex and non-convex shape model and pole orientations. We analysed the optical lightcurve of Phaethon and derived a synodic and a sidereal rotational period of 3.6039 h, with an axis ratio of a/b = 1.07. The ecliptic longitude (lambda) and latitude (beta) of the pole orientation were determined as (308, -52) and (322, -40) via two independent methods. A non-convex model from the SAGE method, which exhibits a concavity feature, is also presented., 14 pages, 4 figures, 1 figure in Appendix A. Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics (A&A)

We estimated the orbit of the Communication, Ocean and Meteorological Satellite (COMS), a Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellite, through data from actual optical observations using telescopes at the Sobaeksan Optical Astronomy Observatory (SOAO) of the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI), Optical Wide field Patrol (OWL) at KASI, and the Chungbuk National University Observatory (CNUO) from August 1, 2014, to January 13, 2015. The astrometric data of the satellite were extracted from the World Coordinate System (WCS) in the obtained images, and geometrically distorted errors were corrected. To handle the optically observed data, corrections were made for the observation time, light-travel time delay, shutter speed delay, and aberration. For final product, the sequential filter within the Orbit Determination Tool Kit (ODTK) was used for orbit estimation based on the results of optical observation. In addition, a comparative analysis was conducted between the precise orbit from the ephemeris of the COMS maintained by the satellite operator and the results of orbit estimation using optical observation. The orbits estimated in simulation agree with those estimated with actual optical observation data. The error in the results using optical observation data decreased with increasing number of observatories. Our results are useful for optimizing observation data for orbit estimation.

We present a by-product of our long term photometric monitoring of cataclysmic variables. 2MASS J18024395 +4003309 = VSX J180243.9 +400331 was discovered in the field of the intermediate polar V1323 Her observed using the Korean 1-m telescope located at Mt. Lemmon, USA. An analysis of the two-color VR CCD observations of this variable covers all the phase intervals for the first time. The light curves show this object can be classified as an Algol-type variable with tidally distorted components, and an asymmetry of the maxima (the O’Connell effect). The periodogram analysis confirms the cycle numbering of Andronov et al. (2012) and for the initial approximation, the ephemeris is used as follows: Min I. BJD = 2456074.4904+0.3348837E . For phenomenological modeling, we used the trigonometric polynomial approximation of statistically optimal degree, and a recent method “NAV” (“New Algol Variable”) using local specific shapes for the eclipse. Methodological aspects and estimates of the physical parameters based on analysis of phenomenological parameters are presented. As results of our phenomenological model, we obtained for the inclination i=90°, M1=0.745M◉, M2=0.854M◉, M=M1+M2=1.599M◉, the orbital separation a=1.65·109m=2.37R◉ and relative radii r1=R1/a=0.314 and r2=R2/a=0.360. These estimates may be used as preliminary starting values for further modeling using extended physical models based on the Wilson & Devinney (1971) code and it's extensions

Author(s): Wang, Yong-Hao; Wang, Songhu; Hinse, Tobias C; Wu, Zhen-Yu; Davis, Allen B; Hori, Yasunori; Yoon, Joh-Na; Han, Wonyong; Nie, Jun-Dan; Liu, Hui-Gen; Zhang, Hui; Zhou, Ji-Lin; Wittenmyer, RA; Peng, Xi-Yan; Laughlin, Gregory | Abstract: © 2019. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved. During the past five years, 6, 7, and 26 transit observations were carried out for the HAT-P-9b, HAT-P-32b, and HAT-P-36b systems, respectively, through the Transiting Exoplanet Monitoring Project network. Combined with the published photometric data and radial-velocity measurements, our new photometry allows us to revisit the system parameters and search for additional close-in planetary companions in these hot Jupiter systems. We measure an updated R P /R ∗ = 0.1260 ±0.0011 for HAT-P-36 system in the R band, which is 4.5σ larger than the published i-band radius ratio of 0.1186 ±0.0012. We also perform a transit timing variation (TTV) analysis for each system. Because no significant TTVs were found, we place an upper mass limit on an additional planet for each system.

Astronomical Observations at Chungbuk National University Observatory (CBNUO) with an 1 m telescope have begun since April 2008, and Near-Earth Space Survey observations also have been started since November 2010, with a 0.6 m wide field telescope developed by Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute. To improve observational efficiency, we developed a weather monitoring system enabling automatic monitoring for the weather conditions and checking the status of the observational circumstances, such as dome status. We hope this weather monitoring system can be helpful to more than 100 Korean domestic observatories, including public outreach facilities. In this paper, we present the statistic analysis of the weather conditions collected at CBNUO for 3 years (2009- 2011) and comparisons were made for clear nights between using only humidity data and both humidity and cloud data.

We present results of two-color VR photometry of the intermediate polar RXS J1803. The data were aquired using the Korean 1-m telescope located at Mt. Lemmon, USA. Different “high” and “low” luminosity states, similar to other intermediate polars, were discovered. No statistically significant variability of the color index with varying luminosity was detected. The orbital variability was found to be not statistically significant. Spin maxima timings were determined, as well as the photometric ephemeris for the time interval of our observations. The spin period variations, caused by interaction of the accretion structure with the rotating magnetic white dwarf, were also detected. These variations are of complicated character, and their study requires further observations. We determine the color transformation coefficients for our photometric systems, and improve on the secondary photometric standards.

BVR CCD observations of GW Cep were made on 15 nights in November through December 2008 with a 1-m reflector at the Jincheon station of the Chungbuk National University Observatory. Nineteen new times of minimum lights for GW Cep were determined and added to a collection of all other times of minima available to us. These data were then intensively analyzed, by reference to an O-C diagram, to deduce the general form of period variation for GW Cep. It was found that the O-C diagram could be interpreted as presenting two different forms of period change: an exclusively quasi-sinusoidal change with a period of 32.6 years and an eccentricity of 0.10; and a quasi-sinusoidal change with a period of 46.2 years and an eccentricity of 0.36 superposed on an upward parabola. Although a final conclusion is somewhat premature at present, the latter seems more plausible because late-type contact binaries allow an inter-exchange of both energy and mass between the component stars. The quasi-sinusoidal characteristics were interpreted in terms of a light-time effect due to an unseen tertiary component. The minimum masses of the tertiary component for both cases were calculated to be nearly the same as the 0.23-0.26 M⊙-ranges which is hardly detectable in a light curve synthesis. The upward parabolic O-C diagram corresponding to a secular period increase of about 4.12 × 10^(-8) d/yr was interpreted as mass being transferred from the lesser to more massive component. The transfer rate for a conservative case was calculated to be about 2.66 × 10^(-8) M⊙/yr which is compatible with other W UMa-type contact binaries.

인공위성 궤도 결정을 위해 한국천문연구원의 0.6m 광시야 망원경을 이용하여 중 고궤도 인공위성과 폐기위성을 관측하였다. 관측 자료는 영상처리 및 좌표 보정을 통해 장착기기에 의한 오차를 보정한다. 위성 관측 사료에서 얻은 좌표 정보는 관측 시스템의 불안정성과 끝점 결정 오차에 의해 13각초의 오차를 가진다. KODAS의 결과로 얻은 시뮬레이션 좌표와 Gauss 방법을 이용해 예비궤도 결정을 수행하고 궤도 결정에 적합한 시간 간격을 찾아보았다. 또한 미분보정을 통한 예비궤도 결정 결과의 향상을 확인하였다. 이들 결과를 평균궤도요소 형대로 변환하여 실제 관측 자료와 비교하여 에비궤도 결정을 통해서 짧은 시간동안 위성의 추적이 가능함을 확인하였으며, 미분보정을 통해 그 결과를 향상시킬 수 있음을 확인하였다. 【We used an optical observation system with a 0.6m wide-field telescope and 5 computers system in KASI (Korean Astronomy and Space Science Institute) for satellite optical observation. Optical data have errors that are caused by targeting, expose start time and end-point determination. Gauss method for initial orbit determination was tested using angle-only data simulated by KODAS. And suitable time span is confirmed for result which has minimum errors. Initial orbit determination results are proved that optical observation system in KASI is possible satellite tracking for a short period. And also through differential correction, initial orbit determination results are improved.】

We study the variability of the cataclysmic variable DO Dra, on time-scales of between minutes and decades. The characteristic decay time dt/dm=0.902(3) days/mag was estimated from our 3 nights of CCD R observations. The quiescent data show a photometric wave with a cycle about 303(15)d. We analyzed the profile of the composite (or mean) outburst. We discovered however, that a variety of different outburst heights and durations had occurred, contrary to theoretical predictions. With increasing maximum brightness, we find that the decay time also increases; this is in contrast to the model predictions, which indicate that outbursts should have a constant shape. This is interpreted as representing the presence of outburst-to-outburst variability of the magnetospheric radius. A presence of a number of missed weak narrow outbursts is predicted from this statistical relationship. A new type of variability is detected, during 3 subsequent nights in 2007: periodic (during one nightly run) oscillations with rapidly-decreasing frequency from 86 to 47 cycles/day and a semi-amplitude increasing from 0.06 to 0. 10, during a monotonic brightness increase from 14. 27 to 14. 13. This phenomenon was observed only during an unusually prolonged event of about 1 mag brightening in 2007 (lasting till autumn), during which no (expected) outburst was detected. We refer to this behaviour as to the transient periodic oscillations (TPO). To study this new and interesting phenomenon, new regular photometric and spectral (in a target of opportunity mode) observations are required., 12pages, 8figures, accepted in Astronomy and Astrophysics

As the second step of the real time monitoring system of the solar radio disturbance, we constructed a 2.8 GHz radio receiver with 500 MHz bandwith. Using the control and observing system (Yoon et al. 2004), we observed the Sun, and found some frequencies, which disturb the Solar radio flux to be observed. DMB and aiport control frequencies are identified as responsible for this disturbance. As well as the testing the receiver, the measurment of the radio environment at 2.8 GHz with 500 MHz bandwith are carried out around Chungbuk National University. In fact, the radio power of the two frequencies, 2.649 GHz and 2.874 GHz is so high that we can not observe the Solar radio signal at 2.8 GHz. We report some results of this measurment and suggest the method to overcome this problem. We conclude also that the frequecies, which are important for the astronomy, should be protected in the future.

We have carried out photometric follow-up observations of bright transiting extrasolar planets using the CbNUOJ 0.6m telescope. We have tested the possibility of obtaining high photometric precision by applying the telescope defocus technique allowing the use of several hundred seconds in exposure time for a single measurement. We demonstrate that this technique is capable of obtaining a root-mean-square scatter of order sub-millimagnitude over several hours for a V $\sim$ 10 host star typical for transiting planets detected from ground-based survey facilities. We compare our results with transit observations with the telescope operated in in-focus mode. High photometric precision is obtained due to the collection of a larger amount of photons resulting in a higher signal compared to other random and systematic noise sources. Accurate telescope tracking is likely to further contribute to lowering systematic noise by probing the same pixels on the CCD. Furthermore, a longer exposure time helps reducing the effect of scintillation noise which otherwise has a significant effect for small-aperture telescopes operated in in-focus mode. Finally we present the results of modelling four light-curves for which a root-mean-square scatter of 0.70 to 2.3 milli-magnitudes have been achieved., 12 pages, 11 figures, 5 tables. Submitted to Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences (JASS)

We present light curves of a short period binary system BL Eridani. The light curves were observed with {it VRI} filters by a 50cm wide field robotic telescope at Siding Spring Observatory (SSO), equipped with a 2K CCD camera, which was developed by Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI), and Yonsei University Observatory (YUO). The photometric observations were made on 6 nights by automatic operation mode and remote observation mode at SSO and KASI in Korea, respectively. We obtained new {it VRI} CCD light curves and new 5 times of minima, and analyzed the light curves with the Wilson & Deviney (1971) binary 2005 version and derived the new photometric solutions. The mass ratio q = 0.48 in this study shows different value with earlier investigators. According to the model analysis, it is considered that the BL Eri system is currently undergoing contact stage of the two binary components, rather than near-contact stage.

An automatic observation system has been constructed at Chungbuk National University for the purpose of monitoring the bright and long period variable stars effectively. We improved the control part of 40cm telescope of the LX 200 and developed an observing software ObsTool II so that the telescope, CCD camera and dome can be controlled in one software. ObsTool II is a COM (Common Object Module) based software, which can be easily reprogrammed in case that a new telescope or CCD camera is installed. Because this system has an additional function in which the telescope can switch the variable, comparison, and check stars respectively as like a photoelectric observation, we can observe the variable star even if the CCD view field does not contain the comparison star with the variable star. In order to check the system stability a W UMa type variable V523 Cas and a magnetic cataclysmic variable TT Ari have been observed with the constructed system and the results have been discussed in context with the possibility of a further application of our automatical observation system.

We have investigated the optical property of the KAO(Korea Astronomy Observatory) wide field telescope (named NEOPAT-3; Near Earth Object and Satellite Patrol-3) and aligned optical system. The NEOPAT-3 is restricted to V,R,I-filters because of the refractive property of the correcting lens system. Because of the fast focal ratio, the optical performance of the NEOPAT-3 is very sensitive to its alignment factors of the optical system. To make the spot radius smaller than 8μm in rms over 2degree×2degree field, the optical system must satisfy the following conditions: 1) The tilt error between detector plane and focal plane should be less than 0.05degree. 2) The decenter error between the primary mirror and the correcting lens system should be less than 1mm. 3) The distance error between the primary mirror and the correcting lens system should be less than 2.3mm. In order to align the optical system accurately, we measured the aberrations of the telescope quantitatively by means of curvature sensing technique. NEOPAT-3 is installed temporary on the roof of the TRAO(Taeduk Radio Astronomy Observatory) main building to normalize system performance and to develop automatic observation.

Maria family is regarded as an old-type (~3 +/- 1 Gyr) asteroid family which has experienced substantial collisional and dynamical evolution in the Main-belt. It is located nearby the 3:1 Jupter mean motion resonance area that supplies Near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) to the inner Solar System. We carried out observations of Maria family asteroids during 134 nights from 2008 July to 2013 May, and derived synodic rotational periods for 51 objects, including newly obtained periods of 34 asteroids. We found that there is a significant excess of fast and slow rotators in observed rotation rate distribution. The two-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov test confirms that the spin rate distribution is not consistent with a Maxwellian at a 92% confidence level. From correlations among rotational periods, amplitudes of lightcurves, and sizes, we conclude that the rotational properties of Maria family asteroids have been changed considerably by non-gravitational forces such as the YORP effect. Using a lightcurve inversion method (Kaasalainen & Torppa 2001; Kaasalainen et al. 2001), we successfully determined the pole orientations for 13 Maria members, and found an excess of prograde versus retrograde spins with a ratio (N_p/N_r) of 3. This implies that the retrograde rotators could have been ejected by the 3:1 resonance into the inner Solar System since the formation of Maria family. We estimate that approximately 37 to 75 Maria family asteroids larger than 1 km have entered the near-Earth space every 100 Myr., 83 pages, 8 figures, 63 figures in Appendix A. Accepted for publication in The Astronomical Journal