A precise measurement of the cosmic background radiation at 1. 32 millimeters

Journal Article · Sun Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1990 · Astrophysical Journal; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/168886· OSTI ID:6596313

Palazzi, E; Mandolesi, N; Crane, P; Kutner, M L; Blades, J C ^[1]

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1. CNR, Istituto di Studio e Tecnologie sulle Radiazioni Extraterrestri, Bologna (Italy) European Southern Observatory, Garching (Germany, F.R.) Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY (USA) Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, MD (USA)

A precise value of the cosmic background radiation temperature at 1.32 mm has been determined from the interstellar absorption lines of the CN molecule toward HD 154368. Equivalent widths for CN and (C-13)N in the main cloud are reported. A very weak secondary cloud has been discovered. Millimeter observations at 2.64 mm revealed weak CN emission from the main cloud with T-asterisk(R) = 19.0 + or - 5.1 mK. Thus there is some local excitation of CN. Correcting for this yields T(CBR) = 2.832 + or - 0.072 K at 1.32 mm which when combined with the result of Meyer et al. (1989) gives the T(CBR) = 2.831 + or - 0.056 K at 1.32 mm. At 2.64 mm, T(CBR) = 2.834 + or - 0.085 K is found. 25 refs.

• OSTI ID: 6596313
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal; (USA), Vol. 357; ISSN 0004-637X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
RELICT RADIATION
TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT
ABSORPTION SPECTRA
BLACKBODY RADIATION
CORRECTIONS
COSMIC GASES
CYANOGEN
INTERSTELLAR SPACE
MEASURING METHODS
SPECTRA
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
FLUIDS
GASES
MICROWAVE RADIATION
RADIATIONS
SPACE
640106* - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Cosmology