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Recommendations for calibration of millimeter-wavelength spectral line data
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1981
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Accurate calibration of millimeter‑wavelength spectral line data is essential for reliable astrophysical observations. The study examines existing calibration methods for millimeter‑wavelength photometric data and proposes recommended procedures. The authors introduced formal definitions of intensity‑related quantities, defined a corrected source antenna temperature that includes atmospheric, ohmic, and spillover losses, and compared the direct and chopper‑wheel techniques for atmospheric absorption correction. They found that the corrected source antenna temperature provides a more accurate measure of source brightness, and that the chopper‑wheel method is generally preferable to the direct method for correcting atmospheric absorption. Published in The Astrophysical Journal, November 1981, DOI 10.1086/159380.
view Abstract Citations (860) References (8) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Recommendations for calibration of millimeter-wavelength spectral line data. Kutner, M. L. ; Ulich, B. L. Abstract The methods currently used to calibrate millimeter-wavelength photometric data are examined and recommendations on procedures to be followed are made. Since confusing references to the quantity source antenna temperature have appeared in the literature, a series of formal definitions of quantities related to intensity measurements is introduced. A new quality is introduced which is the source antenna temperature corrected for atmospheric, ohmic, and all spillover losses. Physically, this quantity corresponds to the source brightness distribution convolved with the diffraction and error beam patterns of the telescope. The relative merits of the so-called 'direct' and the 'chopper-wheel' methods of correcting for atmospheric absorption are examined and the chopper-wheel technique is found to be generally preferable. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: November 1981 DOI: 10.1086/159380 Bibcode: 1981ApJ...250..341K Keywords: Atmospheric Attenuation; Interstellar Matter; Microwave Spectra; Millimeter Waves; Radio Sources (Astronomy); Spectral Line Width; Antenna Couplers; Astronomical Photometry; Atmospheric Temperature; Brightness Distribution; Calibrating; Diffraction Patterns; Astronomy full text sources ADS |