Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
May 2005
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2005apjs..158..101m&link_type=abstract
The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series, Volume 158, Issue 1, pp. 101-108.
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
8
Cosmology: Cosmic Microwave Background, Cosmology: Observations
Scientific paper
We present the first sky maps from the BEAST (Background Emission Anisotropy Scanning Telescope) experiment. BEAST consists of a 2.2 m off-axis Gregorian telescope fed by a cryogenic millimeter wavelength focal plane currently consisting of six Q band (40 GHz) and two Ka band (30 GHz) scalar feed horns feeding cryogenic HEMT amplifiers. Data were collected from two balloon-borne flights in 2000, followed by a lengthy ground observing campaign from the 3.8 km altitude University of California White Mountain Research Station. This paper reports the initial results from the ground-based observations. The instrument produced an annular map covering the sky over 33deg<δ<42deg. The maps cover an area of 2470 deg2 with an effective resolution of 23' FWHM at 40 GHz and 30' at 30 GHz. The map rms (smoothed to 30' and excluding Galactic foregrounds) is 57+/-5 μK (Rayleigh-Jeans) at 40 GHz. Comparison with the instrument noise and correcting for 5% atmospheric attenuation gives a cosmic signal rms contribution of 29+/-3 μK (R-J) or 30+/-3 μK relative to a Planck blackbody of 2.7 K. An estimate of the actual cosmic microwave background (CMB) sky signal requires taking into account the l space filter function of our experiment and analysis techniques, carried out in a companion paper. In addition to the robust detection of CMB anisotropies, we find a strong correlation between small portions of our maps and features in recent Hα maps. In this work we describe the data set and analysis techniques leading to the maps, including data selection, filtering, pointing reconstruction, mapmaking algorithms, and systematic effects.
Bersanelli Marco
Childers Jeffrey
Figueiredo Newton
Gaier Todd Charles
Halevi Doron
No associations
LandOfFree
A Map of the Cosmic Microwave Background from the BEAST Experiment does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with A Map of the Cosmic Microwave Background from the BEAST Experiment, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and A Map of the Cosmic Microwave Background from the BEAST Experiment will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1701343