Accession Number:

AD0441662

Title:

LUNAR THERMAL EMISSION MEASUREMENTS AND RELATED ANTENNA CONSIDERATIONS,

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

AIR FORCE CAMBRIDGE RESEARCH LABS HANSCOM AFB MA

Personal Author(s):

• Castelli, John P.

Report Date:

1964-04-01

Pagination or Media Count:

9.0

Abstract:

Radio Astronomy plays a dual role. Fundamentally a science, it often serves as a tool for engineers. Radio Astronomy has furnished accurate knowledge of dimensions and intensities of some radio stars. This information in turn helps determine those parameters of large-diameter antennas which cannot be accurately calculated by conventional methods. The large antenna may then be used to make absolute measurements of other radio sources. At AFCRL parameters of the 84foot parabola were found by such methods. The antenna was then used during two lunar eclipses to record simultaneously lunar thermal emission at 1200 and 3100 megacycles which was found to be constant at 230 and 223 K respectively. The moon thus becomes another source which may be used to calibrate large antennas. Author

Descriptors:

• (*MOON
• THERMAL RADIATION)
• (*ANTENNAS
• CALIBRATION)
• MEASUREMENT
• RADIO ASTRONOMY
• RADIO SIGNALS
• PARABOLIC ANTENNAS
• ULTRAHIGH FREQUENCY
• SUPERHIGH FREQUENCY
• TEST METHODS
• ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES

Subject Categories:

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE