We present the results of simultaneous observations of SiO v = 1, 2, 29SiO v = 0, J = 1−0 and H2O 616-523 maser lines toward 318 known stellar SiO and/or H2O maser sources using the Yonsei 21-m radio telescope of the Korean VLBI Network. Toward 166 known SiO and H2O maser sources, both SiO and H2O maser emissions were detected from 112 sources giving a detection rate of 67.5 %. On the other hand, toward 152 known H2O-only maser sources, both SiO and H2O maser emissions were detected from 62 sources, giving a detection rate of 40.8 %. Characteristics of all observed sources in the IRAS two-color diagram is investigated including their evolutionary sequence and mutual relations between SiO and H2O maser properties.

Aiming at comparing different morphological models of galaxy clusters, we use two new methods to construct a cosmological-model-independent test of the distance-duality (DD) relation. The luminosity distances come from the Union2 compilation of Type Ia supernovae. The angular-diameter distances are given by the two cluster models of De Filippis et al. and Bonamente et al. The advantage of our new methods is that they can lead to reduced statistical errors. The morphologies of the cluster models are mainly focused on a comparison between the elliptical and spherical β models. The spherical β model is divided into two groups, in terms of different reduction methods of angular-diameter distances, i.e. the conservative and corrected spherical β models. Our results show that the DD relation is consistent with the elliptical β model at the 1σ confidence level (CL) for both methods, whereas for almost all spherical β-model parameterizations the DD relation can only be accommodated at the 3σ CL, particularly for the conservative spherical β model. To minimize systematic uncertainties, we also apply the test to the overlap sample, i.e. to the same set of clusters modeled by both De Filippis et al. and Bonamente et al. The DD relation is compatible with the elliptically modeled overlap sample at the 1σ CL; however, for most parameterizations the DD relation cannot be accommodated even at the 3σ CL by any of the two spherical β models. Therefore, it is reasonable that the marked triaxial ellipsoidal model is a better geometric hypothesis describing the structure of galaxy clusters than the spherical β model if the DD relation is valid for cosmological observations.

The magnetorotational instability (MRI) of thin, vertically-isothermal Keplerian discs, under the influence of an axial magnetic field is investigated near the instability threshold. The nonlinear interaction of Alfven-Coriolis (MRI) modes with stable magnetoacoustic waves is considered. The transition of the Alfven-Coriolis modes to instability occurs when the linearized system has zero eigenvalue of multiplicity two. As a result the nonlinear ordinary differential equation that describes the evolution of the amplitude of the MRI mode near the threshold is of second order. Solutions of that amplitude equation reveal that the MRI is saturated to bursty periodical oscillations due to the transfer of energy to the stable magnetosonic modes.

This paper describes the 2-dimensional data reduction of the LAMOST pilot survey.

The wide variety of low metallicity galaxies of the local universe serve as convenient laboratories to study the evolution of gas and dust and conditions for star formation in environments which may resemble those of the early universe. The Herschel Dwarf Galaxy Survey is studying the far infrared (FIR) and submillimeter (submm) properties of the gas and dust in galaxies with metallicity values as low as 1/45 that of solar. With complementary Spitzer, Laboca/APEX, Scuba/JCMT data, the dust spectral energy distributions are well constrained now, providing more accurate dust masses. We find a steep drop in dust-to-gas mass ratio (D/G) when the metallicity is below 12+log(O/H) ∼ 8. A submillimeter excess can be found in some low metallicity galaxies, which, when present, becomes apparent at wavelengths at or longer than 500 μm. While CO is difficult to observe in low metallicity gas, the FIR fine structure lines, on the other hand, are very luminous and highlight a potentially important reservoir of CO-free molecular gas, better traced by the 158 μm [CII] line.

In current theory of planet formation, streaming instability is one of the most promising mechanisms to overcome the meter-barrier in the course of core accretion. Almost all previous works, however, were focused on a local region of protoplanetary disks with a limited size of about 0.2 gas scale heights. Only one radial filamentary particle concentration was seen in these studies. To address this, we conduct the largest-scale simulations of this kind to date, up to 0.8 gas scale heights both horizontally and vertically. We demonstrate that streaming instability remains robust on large scale and multiple radial particle concentrations exist in large enough boxes. This result may be important in characterising the feeding zone of planetesimal formation.

Current models of pulsar magnetospheres typically assume either a complete absence of plasma or abundant ideal plasma filling the magnetosphere in order to compute the field structure. The latter condition is thought to be closer to reality, but we know of a number of pulsars in which the ideal conditions break down, resulting in dissipation and high-energy emission. In this work we formulate a resistive force-free scheme that allows us to consider the effects of resistive plasma and accelerating fields on the magnetospheric structure. We run numerical simulations to construct a family of resistive solutions that smoothly bridges the gap between the vacuum and the force-free magnetosphere solutions. We further provide a self-consistent model for the spin-down of intermittent pulsars, pulsars which appear to transition between radio-loud and radio-quiet states with different spin-down rates. Finally, we present models for high-energy emission from reconnecting current sheets in Gamma-ray pulsars.

Recent discovery of extrasolar planets indicates that some of them have much higher eccentricity than the planets in the solar system. Here, we investigate the climate of such eccentric terrestrial planets with oceans and carbonate-silicate geochemical cycles. We find that the climate of the planets are dependent on the annual mean insolation as shown in previous works. We also find that the planets orbiting slightly further from our Sun than the Earth are globally ice-covered even if the carbonate-silicate geochemical cycle works under the same CO2 degassing rate as on the present Earth. However, when the CO2 degassing rate is higher, the planets avoid being globally ice-covered owing to the high level.

SiO maser emission probes the region close to the stellar surface where the wind is formed and is observed to better constrain the physical conditions in this region. We have started a long-term project where high-excitation 28SiO maser lines (i.e., J=5-4, v=1 and 2) are observed in a large sample of southern AGB stars. The primary goals are to put constraints on the physical conditions in the extended atmospheres, and to achieve a better understanding of the maser excitation process. Since the maser emission is strong and often highly linearly polarized, the detected sources could also complement the polarization calibrator catalogue for ALMA. Preliminary results show a high detection rate and that in approximately 20% of the sources, the v=2 transition emits stronger than the v=1 transition. We interpret this as possibly indicative of a hot dust shell very close to the stars.

We analyze a prominence-like cool plasma structure as observed by Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) onboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). We perform the Differential Emission Measure (DEM) analysis using various filters of AIA, and also deduce the temperature and density structure in and around the observed flux-tube. In addition to deducing plasma parameters, we also find an evidence of multiple harmonics of fast magnetoacoustic kink waves in the observed prominence-like magnetic structure. Making use of estimated plasma parameters and observed wave parameters, under the baseline of MHD seismology, we deduce magnetic field in the flux-tube. The wave period ratio P1/P2 = 2.18 is also observed in the flux-tube, which carries the signature of magnetic field divergence where we estimate the tube expansion factor as 1.27. We discuss constraints in the estimation of plasma and magnetic field properties in such a structure in the current observational perspective, which may shed new light on the localized plasma dynamics and heating scenario in the solar atmosphere.

Our analysis of optical spectroscopy of high-mass X-ray binaries like Cyg X-1 confirms that most of the Balmer-lines emission anticorrelated with the X-ray flux originates from the circumstellar matter between the donor star and the accreting compact component. In order to study its structure and variability and the consequent accretion rate we have developed a 3-D numerical model based on radiation hydrodynamics of the supergiant stellar wind. The results show a non-stationary BHL-accretion on the compact component.

The interaction of helical convective motions and differential rotation in the solar convection zone results in turbulent drift of a large-scale magnetic field. We discuss the pumping mechanism and its impact on the solar dynamo.

The inner workings of pulsar magnetospheres have fascinated and confused researchers since the discovery of pulsars. I will review the status of magnetospheric models, including vacuum, space-charge-limited and resistive force-free MHD. I will highlight model predictions for the integrated pulsar quantities (such as spin down and torques) and the observational consequences of calculated magnetic field structure. Particularly, high-energy emission from pulsars allows putting new constraints on the geometry of the emission region and the physics of particle acceleration in the magnetosphere.

During the quiescent phases, the spectra of cataclysmic variables are studied. We model the fluxes by means of the photoionization code CLOUDY, and in the model it is assumed that the geometry of disks is cylindrical. Using this method, we input a series of reasonable parameters and get a spectral library.

A very sensitive survey of the CO(2−1) emission of the entire disk of the Local Group galaxy M 33 is virtually complete. Hundreds of clouds down to a mass of 10000M⊙ are detected and we show that the cloud mass function (assuming a constant ratio between CO emission and H2 mass) steepens away from the center of M 33. Through comparison with dust emission and cloud Virial masses, we estimate a N(H2)/ICO factor roughly twice Galactic.

Maser emission of OH(1720) is formed, according to modern concepts, under the influence of collisional pumping. Class I methanol masers (MMI) are also formed by a collisional mechanism of the inversion of the molecular levels. It is not excluded in this case that physical conditions in the condensations of the interstellar medium where masers are formed may be similar for MMI and OH(1720) masers, and they can associate with each other. To establish a possible association between these two kinds of masers, and obtain reliable statistical estimates, a survey of class I methanol masers at a frequency of 1720 MHz has been carried out.

I attempt to summarize our knowledge of planet formation in evolving protoplanetary discs. I first review the physics of disc evolution and dispersal. For most of the disc lifetime evolution is driven by accretion and photoevaporation, and I discuss how the interplay between these processes shapes protoplanetary discs. I also discuss the observations that we use to test these models, and the major uncertainties that remain. I will then move on to consider planet formation and migration in evolving discs, and discuss how observations of both discs and planets can be used to inform our understanding of protoplanetary disc evolution.

Massive galaxies with old stellar populations have been put forwards as a challenge to models in which cosmic structures grow hierarchically through gravitational instability. I will explain how the growth of massive galaxies is helped by features of hierarchical models. I give a brief outline of how the galaxy formation process is modelled in hierarchical cosmologies using semi-analytical models, and illustrate how these models can be refined as our understanding of processes such as star formation improves. I then present a brief survey of the current state of play in the modelling of massive galaxies and list some outstanding challenges.

Existence of liquid water on the planetary surface is thought to be an important condition for the origin and evolution of life. Planets with oceans (or lakes) are classified in two types: Earth-like ‘aqua planets’ and less water ‘land planets’. The latter shows stronger resistance than the former to the runaway greenhouse caused by the increase of stellar luminosity. We examined the possibility of evolution from an aqua planet to a land planet by water loss. We showed that an aqua planet with less than about 0.1 present Earth's ocean mass can evolve to a land planet without having experience of the runaway greenhouse, and maintains liquid water on its surface for about 2Gyrs longer than planets with larger amount of water. Our results mean that the initial amount of water is important for their evolution paths and habitability.

The time delays between the multiple images of a strong gravitational-lens system, together with a model of the lens-mass distribution, provide a one-step determination of the time-delay distance, and thus a measure of cosmological parameters, particularly the Hubble constant, H0. I review the recent advances in measuring time-delay distances, and present the current status of cosmological constraints based on gravitational-lens time delays. In particular, I report the time-delay distance measurements of two gravitational lenses and their implication for cosmology from a recent study by Suyu et al.