Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
1996-09-19
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
14 pages, 1 figure, submitted to ApJL
Scientific paper
10.1086/310388
A balloon-borne experiment has measured the absolute temperature of the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR) at 10.7 GHz to be Tcmbr = 2.730 +- .014 K. The error is the quadratic sum of several systematic errors, with statistical error of less than 0.1 mK. The instrument comprises a cooled corrugated horn antenna coupled to a total-power radiometer. A cryogenic mechanical waveguide switch alternately connects the radiometer to the horn and to an internal reference load. The small measured temperature difference (<= 20 mK) between the sky signal and the reference load in conjunction with the use of a cold front end keeps systematic instrumental corrections small. Atmospheric and window emission are minimized by flying the instrument at 24 km altitude. A large outer ground screen and smaller inner screen shield the instrument from stray radiation from the ground and the balloon. In-flight tests constrain the magnitude of ground radiation contamination, and low level interference is monitored through observations in several narrow frequency bands.
Jarosik N. C.
Meyer Samuel
Staggs Suzanne T.
Wilkinson David T.
No associations
LandOfFree
An Absolute Measurement of the Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation Temperature at 10.7 GHz 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 An Absolute Measurement of the Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation Temperature at 10.7 GHz, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and An Absolute Measurement of the Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation Temperature at 10.7 GHz will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-177615