Cosmic background radiation temperature at 2. 64 millimeters

Journal Article · Wed Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1989 · Astrophysical Journal; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/167992· OSTI ID:7274278

Crane, P; Hegyi, D J; Kutner, M L; Mandolesi, N ^[1]

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1. European Southern Observatory, Garching (Germany, F.R.) Michigan Univ., Ann Arbor (USA) Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY (USA) CNR, Istituto di Studio e Tecnologie sulle Radiazzioni Estraterrestri, Bologna (Italy)

A precise value for cosmic background radiation (CBR) temperature at 2.64 mm is reported using interstellar CN molecules in absorption in the direction of Zeta Oph. A search for CN emission at 2.64 mm makes it possible to set a strong limit on local excitation sources that could elevate the population of the 2.64 mm rotational states above that expected from the cosmic background radiation. To one standard deviation, observations show that T(loc) is not above 31 mK. A reanalysis of data previously reported has improved the precision of the optical equivalent widths so that this source of uncertainty is now 13.3 mK. Uncertainties in the saturation correction model add to the error budget. The final value for T(CBR) = 2.796(+0.014, -0.039) K. 27 refs.

• OSTI ID: 7274278
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal; (USA), Vol. 346; 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
COSMOCHEMISTRY
EMISSION SPECTRA
INTERSTELLAR SPACE
LINE WIDTHS
SPECTROSCOPY
CHEMISTRY
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
MICROWAVE RADIATION
RADIATIONS
SPACE
SPECTRA
640106* - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Cosmology