Lunar Thermal Emission Measurements During the Total Lunar Eclipse of 13 March 1960.

Utilizing the Sagamore Hill Radio Observatory's 84-foot antenna, thermal emission from the moon was measured at 3000 and 1300 Mc during total lunar eclipse of March 13, 1960. Antenna beam angles involved were 18 minutes of arc at 3000 Mc and 38 minutes of arc at 1300 Mc. For ten hours drift measurements were taken at the rate of five per hour before, during, and after the eclipse. Sky temperature and calibrations were made after each drift. No change in temperature within the 2.5% measureable limits was observed. At 3000 Mc the temperature of the moon was 2560K; at 1300 Mc the temperature of the moon was 2540 K. Further data were gathered for half a lunation between first and third quarter of lunar phase. With the same accuracies quoted above no change in temperature at 3000 Mc was measured during this series of observations. Additional data will be taken at 3000 Mc to determine the variability of lunar temperatures over several lunations.