Limits on arcsecond-scale fluctuations in the cosmic microwave background

Journal Article · Sat Sep 15 04:00:00 EDT 1984 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/162430· OSTI ID:5951779

Knoke, J E; Partridge, R B; Ratner, M I; Shapiro, I I

We used the NRAO Very Large Array in its C configuration at a wavelength of 6 cm to set upper limits on the rms fluctuation of sky brightness on angular scales of 6''--18'' from sources too weak to be detected individually. At the highest resolution, we establish a limit of 8 ..mu..Jy per beam area on the rms sky fluctuation. If this fluctuation level is the result of a Poisson distribution of unresolved sources, each of flux density S/sub 0/ Jy, then the number density of such sources per steradian must be less than 0.08 S/sub 0//sup -2/ sr/sup -1/. For alternative models in which all sources are resolved, we derive less stringent limits. Our limits on the rms sky fluctuation also establish limits on the rms temperature fluctuation ..delta..T for simple models of fluctuations in the cosmic microwave background: (..delta..T/2.7 K)<3.2 x 10/sup -3/ and (..delta..T/2.7 K)<1.2 x 10/sup -3/ for Gaussian temperature fluctuations of angular scale 6'' and 18'', respectively.

• Research Organization: Haverford College, Haverford, Pennsylvania
• OSTI ID: 5951779
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 284:2; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640101* -- Astrophysics &amp; Cosmology-- Cosmic Radiation
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BACKGROUND RADIATION
COSMIC RADIATION
DATA ANALYSIS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
FLUCTUATIONS
FLUX DENSITY
INTERFEROMETRY
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MAPS
MATHEMATICS
MICROWAVE RADIATION
RADIATION FLUX
RADIATIONS
STATISTICS
VARIATIONS