We have constructed a wide-field photometric survey system called as the Korea Microlensing Telescope Network (KMTNet) in 2015. It consists of three 1.6 m optical telescopes equipped with mosaic CCD cameras. Four 9k CCDs were installed on the focal plane of each telescope. In this paper, we present the crosstalk analysis of the KMTNet mosaic CCD images. The crosstalk victims caused by bright sources were visible at eight sub-images obtained through different readout ports of each CCD. The crosstalk coefficients were estimated to be several tens of 10-4 in maximum, differing from sub-image to sub-image, and the non-linearity effect certainly appeared at the victims made from saturated sources. We developed software functions to correct the crosstalk effect of the KMTNet CCD images. The software functions showed satisfying results to remove clearly most of the crosstalk victims and have been implemented in the KMTNet image processing pipeline since 2015 September.
Through time-series BV CCD photometry of the open cluster NGC 225 region, we have detected 30 variable stars including 22 new ones. They are five δ Scuti-type variable stars, a slowly pulsating B star, six eclipsing binary stars and 18 semi-long periodic or slow irregular variables, respectively. We have performed multiple-frequency analysis to determine pulsation frequencies of the δ Scuti-type stars and a slowly pulsating B star, using the discrete Fourier transform and linear least-square fitting methods. We also have derived the periods and amplitudes of 6 eclipsing binaries and a long-period variable star from the phase tting method, and presented the light curves of all variable stars. A slowly pulsating B star is a member of NGC 225, but δ Scuti-type stars are not members from the positions in the color-magnitude diagram and the radial distancies from the center of the cluster. From Dias et al. (2014, A&A, 564, 79), only three variable stars including the slowly pulsating B star are members of clusters: two are in NGC 225 and one is in Stock 24. But a variable star in Stock 24 is not a member of the cluster because of its position of color-magnitude diagarm.
We summarize our preliminary study on the research cooperation method in the astronomy field between Republic of Korea (South Korea) and Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea). To investigate the recent astronomical activities of North Korea, we have surveyed the published records of research papers and international collaborations associated with North Korean astronomers. We found only 4 astronomical papers among the identified 260 SCI papers related to North Korean researchers for the past 11 years. North Korean astronomers had very few interactions with the international astronomical society before rejoining IAU in 2012. Recently, North Korea made several astronomical research exchanges with China and Netherlands. They seemed to attend several international conferences and present their research results. We have studied possibilities to establish international networks to encourage the cooperation between South and North, and suggest to start collaboration in the historical astronomy. The collaboration can be expanded gradually to other fields in astronomy. There are many obvious political difficulties to have interactions with North Koreans. However, it will be necessary to make a long-term plan considering the reunification.
We study a manuscript that includes 28 oriental constellations in the flags of barracks in Gangjin. According to the Joseon Chronicles, the constellation flags in the manuscript are thought to have originated from Seon-Pil Kim (金善弼) who first made 28 constellation flags for the barracks in 1878 during the Joseon Dynasty. Seon-Pil Kim was a commander and he used the 28 constellation flags for communications in a military camp. The flags also contain 28 animals and letter-like symbols with constellation maps. We examine the constellation maps in flags in terms of shapes and number of stars, and compare them with those of constellations in the Korean and Chinese star charts such as CheonSangYeolChaBunYaJiDo (天象列次分野之圖), Joseon-Butienge (朝鮮步天歌), Suzhou (蘇州) Star Chart, and Tang-Butiange (唐步天歌). Finally, we found that the shape of constellations in the flags might be similar to those in the Chinese Tang-Butienge. We also found several errors such as the shape, connecting pattern, and number of constellations drawn in the flags. It seems that the constellation flags were unofficially used in military camps in the late Joseon dynasty. Meanwhile, the 28 constellations are divided into four groups and each group has its own color and direction. We suppose that the constellation flags might represent the positions of military camps and each group of flags has their own color based on their cardinal points.
We study the manufacturers of the astronomical instruments invented as part of the so-called Ganui-Dae (astronomical platform) project in the reign of King Sejong (1418-1450) of the Joseon dynasty. The main purpose of this project was to compile the Chiljeongsan-Naepyeon, a Korean calendar, that lasted for 5.5 years from 1432 to 1438. Through this project, a total of 17 astronomical instruments such as the armillary sphere, celestial globe, and auto-striking clepsydra were developed. It is generally known that most of them were manufactured by Lee Cheon (李蕆, 1376-1451) and Jang Yeong-Sil (蔣英實, fl. 1423-1442). In this study, we investigate the accounts of the Veritable Records of King Sejong, Munjong, and Sejo, focusing on the inscription written out to memorize the completion of the Ganui-Dae project. We found that at least 12 persons took part in manufacturing the astronomical instruments of the Ganui-Dae project. Lee Cheon was involved in the production of four instruments, while Jang Yeong-Sil was involved in two; therefore, it seems that the achievement of Jang Yeong-Sil was overestimated. We also found that Jeong Cho (鄭招, ?-1434) was a scientist and Lee Cheon was an engineer in the early phase of the Ganui-Dae project, while King Sejong and Yi Sun-Ji (李純之, 1406-1465) played major role in the late phase. According to our study, King Sejong and Yi Sun-Ji were involved in the production of at least seven and five instruments, respectively. In conclusion, we believe that this study will be helpful to understand the practical manufacturers of the astronomical instruments invented during the Ganui-Dae project in the Joseon dynasty.