Observations of the microwave background on a scale of 8 deg. I - The observing system
Abstract
A sensitive observing system for observing the cosmic microwave background on an angular scale of 8 deg is described. This angular scale is appropriate for studies of intrinsic fluctuations in the CMB generated by gravitational potential fluctuations (the Sachs-Wolfe effect). The beam-switching system employs low-noise and broadband cryogenically cooled receivers. A major improvement in the stability of the system has resulted from triple-beam operation which removes the effect of atmospheric water vapour and ambient temperature changes to a level of several millikelvin on a single scan. The evaluation and assessment of this system operating at an elevation of 2400 m on Tenerife is described. Results for an RA circle at Dec. = 40 deg are shown; these reach a sensitivity of better than 100 micro-K in an 8.4 deg beam.
- Publication:
-
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
- Pub Date:
- October 1992
- DOI:
- 10.1093/mnras/258.3.605
- Bibcode:
- 1992MNRAS.258..605D
- Keywords:
-
- Cosmology;
- Relic Radiation;
- Universe;
- Atmospheric Composition;
- Beam Switching;
- Calibrating;
- Receivers;
- Red Shift;
- Water Vapor;
- Astronomy