On the atmospheric limitations of ground-based submillimetre astronomy using array receivers

Details On the atmospheric limitations of ground-based submillimetre astronomy using array receivers On the atmospheric limitations of ground-based submillimetre astronomy using array receivers

2002-04-26

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0204444v1

Mon.Not.Roy.Astron.Soc. 336 (2002) 1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

14 pages, 16 figures; accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

Scientific paper

10.1046/j.1365-8711.2002.05582.x

The calibration of ground-based submillimetre observations has always been a difficult process. We discuss how to overcome the limitations imposed by the submillimetre atmosphere. Novel ways to improve line-of-sight opacity estimates are presented, resulting in tight relations between opacities at different wavelengths. The submillimetre camera SCUBA, mounted on the JCMT, is the first large-scale submillimetre array, and as such is ideal for combatting the effects of the atmosphere. For example, we find that the off-source pixels are crucial for removing sky-noise. Benefitting from several years of SCUBA operation, a database of deep SCUBA observations has been constructed to better understand the nature of sky-noise and the effects of the atmosphere on instrument sensitivity. This has revealed several results. Firstly, there is evidence for positive correlations between sky-noise and seeing and sky-noise and sky opacity. Furthermore, 850-micron and 450-micron sky-noise are clearly correlated, suggesting that 450-micron data may be used to correct 850-micron observations for sky-noise. Perhaps most important of all: if off-source bolometers are used for sky-noise removal, there is no correlation between instrument sensitivity and chop throw, for chop throws out to 180 arcsec. Understanding the effects of submillimetre seeing is also important, and we find that the JCMT beam is not significantly broadened by seeing, nor is there an obvious correlation between seeing and pointing excursions.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

On the atmospheric limitations of ground-based submillimetre astronomy using array receivers 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 On the atmospheric limitations of ground-based submillimetre astronomy using array receivers, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and On the atmospheric limitations of ground-based submillimetre astronomy using array receivers will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-397031