Internationally Recognized in Galaxy Research
In 1969, a young boy witnessed on his black and white TV a historical moment, the moment when Apollo 11 landed on the moon. In 1980, this boy stood on top of Yeonhui Hall at Yonsei University with two friends, building a reflecting microscope. He grew up to work with NASA in developing GALEX, an ultraviolet space telescope, and plant the Yonsei logo firmly on the telescope. GALEX, created in 2003, enables us to view stars and galaxies that give off ultraviolet rays and has a range hundreds of times greater that telescopes that use visible rays. It is especially useful in observing external galaxies, located very far away.
The young boy has now become a famous scholar whose achievements are helping mankind understand the history of the universe.
Carrying the Mantle of Korea’s Top Department of Astronomy
The Center for Space Astrophysics of Yonsei’s Department of Astronomy is a point of pride for Yonsei University. Yonsei’s heritage in astronomy goes back over 80 years to 1915 when Dr. W. C. Rufus first began to teach astronomy courses. Korea’s first Ph.D. in science was awarded to Dr. Lee Won-chul in the field of astronomy, another reason for the department’s pride in its tradition. Carrying on this venerable tradition is Professor Lee Young-Wook, Director of the Center.
Professor Lee said of the progress the department has made in the past two decades: “It is amazing how much we have achieved in just 20 years. Back then, it was considered a great honor to give a 10-minute presentation at an international conference. Now, we are invited to projects to build the world’s largest 25 meter telescope and are also proposing a 100 billion won project to the government.”
International scholars have drastically changed their assessment of Korean astronomy, discarding their skepticism and acknowledging that we are on par with them. Such changes are due to the hard work of the researchers at the Center, who made Yonsei a top name in the field of galaxy research.
60 Percent of Yonsei’s “Nature” and “Science” Articles
Professor Lee recently spent a year at Yale on sabbatical, where he acquired his Ph.D. degree 14 years ago. “I felt like a student once again, focusing on my research until 2 a.m. every day.” Professor Lee’s articles have been cited 3,400 times by other scholars. This number is phenomenal given that, by nature, articles in astronomy are in general not cited much by scholars in the field—only Nobel Laureates boast a higher number. “One good article is better than many mediocre ones,” says Professor Lee in his usual matter-of-fact demeanor. According to him, Yonsei’s Department of Astronomy is already in the world’s top 15 in number of citations per faculty member, surpassing all Korean institutions by far, and looking over the shoulders of the world’s most prestigious universities. Of the seven articles published in “Nature” or “Science” by Yonsei researchers from 1993 to 2006, four were by researchers of the Center for Space Astrophysics. We may safely say that Yonsei’s steady advancement in various university ranking systems owes much to the Center and the Department of Astronomy.
Professor Lee pointed out that although “Nature” and “Science” are the most recognizable journals in the scientific community, equally important are the top journals in Astronomy and Astrophysics. The Center published a groundbreaking article on galaxy formation in the May issue of “Astrophysical Journal,” the top journal of the field. The article was received well in conferences in the U.S., Germany, and Mexico. Also, this coming December, the Center will publish 30 articles related to the second stage of the GALEX project.
A Partner of the National Optical Astronomy Observatory CTIO Project
The Center is currently focusing its research funding into one project: the National Optical Astronomy Observatory’s (U.S.) CTIO 4m telescope project. Yonsei is one of the two partners of the National Optical Astronomy Observatory, the other partner being the University of Illinois.
A total of two weeks of observation time is allotted per year, and graduate students are sent to Chile four times per year to conduct research in one of the world’s top facilities. Professor Lee explained the significance of this opportunity, saying: “We are no longer using data that other researcher have already worked with. Now we have access to new data. It has become possible to conduct research that will allow us to become leaders in the field.” With such a rate of growth and with the potential we have, the dream of the Nobel Prize may not simply be a dream after all. The Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded to astronomers quite a few times in the past.
Research Facilities and Equipment Most Urgent
Before we look toward the Nobel Prize, however, there are obstacles that must be cleared. “Although we are currently using research space and facilities provided by the University as part of the ‘Global 5-5-10 Project,’ I am anxious about where we will go once the project is over. Securing facilities for research is the most urgent issue.” Good equipment is also a problem. “The direction in which astronomy should go is very clear. The best plan is to get the clearest image of outer space with better equipment.”
Serving the University
Professor Lee is one of the most famous professors at Yonsei, a member of Korea’s National Space Committee and the International Astronomical Union Organizing Committee. With so many titles, he is always busy. But Professor Lee is always ready to serve the University. Having been named the nation’s “Model Scientist of the Year” in 2003, he is well-known among students in secondary schools, who often email him with questions about the Department of Astronomy at Yonsei. Lee always takes time to answer them. Undergraduate and graduate students also ask him questions about their careers. His answer is surprisingly simple. “Don’t be swayed by immediate results and persevere in the area that you are interested in. Stick with it. This is the way to success.” He considers it one of his most important duties to teach at Yonsei and help students believe that dreams come true: “I am what I am thanks to the Yonsei Department of Astronomy.”
Continuing Research to Discover the Secrets of the Creation of the Universe
“Science is a search for God’s Providence of creation. Every day, I embark on a journey to discover the secrets of the creation of the universe. It is fascinating, but at times I am humbled by the enormity, the complexity of it.”
Internationally Recognized in Galaxy Research
In 1969, a young boy witnessed on his black and white TV a historical moment, the moment when Apollo 11 landed on the moon. In 1980, this boy stood on top of Yeonhui Hall at Yonsei University with two friends, building a reflecting microscope. He grew up to work with NASA in developing GALEX, an ultraviolet space telescope, and plant the Yonsei logo firmly on the telescope. GALEX, created in 2003, enables us to view stars and galaxies that give off ultraviolet rays and has a range hundreds of times greater that telescopes that use visible rays. It is especially useful in observing external galaxies, located very far away.
The young boy has now become a famous scholar whose achievements are helping mankind understand the history of the universe.
Carrying the Mantle of Korea’s Top Department of Astronomy
The Center for Space Astrophysics of Yonsei’s Department of Astronomy is a point of pride for Yonsei University. Yonsei’s heritage in astronomy goes back over 80 years to 1915 when Dr. W. C. Rufus first began to teach astronomy courses. Korea’s first Ph.D. in science was awarded to Dr. Lee Won-chul in the field of astronomy, another reason for the department’s pride in its tradition. Carrying on this venerable tradition is Professor Lee Young-Wook, Director of the Center.
Professor Lee said of the progress the department has made in the past two decades: “It is amazing how much we have achieved in just 20 years. Back then, it was considered a great honor to give a 10-minute presentation at an international conference. Now, we are invited to projects to build the world’s largest 25 meter telescope and are also proposing a 100 billion won project to the government.”
International scholars have drastically changed their assessment of Korean astronomy, discarding their skepticism and acknowledging that we are on par with them. Such changes are due to the hard work of the researchers at the Center, who made Yonsei a top name in the field of galaxy research.
60 Percent of Yonsei’s “Nature” and “Science” Articles
Professor Lee recently spent a year at Yale on sabbatical, where he acquired his Ph.D. degree 14 years ago. “I felt like a student once again, focusing on my research until 2 a.m. every day.” Professor Lee’s articles have been cited 3,400 times by other scholars. This number is phenomenal given that, by nature, articles in astronomy are in general not cited much by scholars in the field—only Nobel Laureates boast a higher number. “One good article is better than many mediocre ones,” says Professor Lee in his usual matter-of-fact demeanor. According to him, Yonsei’s Department of Astronomy is already in the world’s top 15 in number of citations per faculty member, surpassing all Korean institutions by far, and looking over the shoulders of the world’s most prestigious universities. Of the seven articles published in “Nature” or “Science” by Yonsei researchers from 1993 to 2006, four were by researchers of the Center for Space Astrophysics. We may safely say that Yonsei’s steady advancement in various university ranking systems owes much to the Center and the Department of Astronomy.
Professor Lee pointed out that although “Nature” and “Science” are the most recognizable journals in the scientific community, equally important are the top journals in Astronomy and Astrophysics. The Center published a groundbreaking article on galaxy formation in the May issue of “Astrophysical Journal,” the top journal of the field. The article was received well in conferences in the U.S., Germany, and Mexico. Also, this coming December, the Center will publish 30 articles related to the second stage of the GALEX project.
A Partner of the National Optical Astronomy Observatory CTIO Project
The Center is currently focusing its research funding into one project: the National Optical Astronomy Observatory’s (U.S.) CTIO 4m telescope project. Yonsei is one of the two partners of the National Optical Astronomy Observatory, the other partner being the University of Illinois.
A total of two weeks of observation time is allotted per year, and graduate students are sent to Chile four times per year to conduct research in one of the world’s top facilities. Professor Lee explained the significance of this opportunity, saying: “We are no longer using data that other researcher have already worked with. Now we have access to new data. It has become possible to conduct research that will allow us to become leaders in the field.” With such a rate of growth and with the potential we have, the dream of the Nobel Prize may not simply be a dream after all. The Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded to astronomers quite a few times in the past.
Research Facilities and Equipment Most Urgent
Before we look toward the Nobel Prize, however, there are obstacles that must be cleared. “Although we are currently using research space and facilities provided by the University as part of the ‘Global 5-5-10 Project,’ I am anxious about where we will go once the project is over. Securing facilities for research is the most urgent issue.” Good equipment is also a problem. “The direction in which astronomy should go is very clear. The best plan is to get the clearest image of outer space with better equipment.”
Serving the University
Professor Lee is one of the most famous professors at Yonsei, a member of Korea’s National Space Committee and the International Astronomical Union Organizing Committee. With so many titles, he is always busy. But Professor Lee is always ready to serve the University. Having been named the nation’s “Model Scientist of the Year” in 2003, he is well-known among students in secondary schools, who often email him with questions about the Department of Astronomy at Yonsei. Lee always takes time to answer them. Undergraduate and graduate students also ask him questions about their careers. His answer is surprisingly simple. “Don’t be swayed by immediate results and persevere in the area that you are interested in. Stick with it. This is the way to success.” He considers it one of his most important duties to teach at Yonsei and help students believe that dreams come true: “I am what I am thanks to the Yonsei Department of Astronomy.”
Continuing Research to Discover the Secrets of the Creation of the Universe
“Science is a search for God’s Providence of creation. Every day, I embark on a journey to discover the secrets of the creation of the universe. It is fascinating, but at times I am humbled by the enormity, the complexity of it.”