LUCTUATIONS OF STARLIGHT AND SKYLIGHT
Abstract
A hypothesis is discussed for extending the theory of astronomical seeing to cover the scintillation of stars in the daytime. The horizontal layers of atmospheric density inequalities are regarded as a coarse diffraction grating. The dispersion of these atmospheric gratings and their effect on an incoming beam of starlight are discussed. The upper limit of sky noise above shot noise is at less than 0.005% sine-wave modulation per unit bandwidth for a 17.4 circular-second section of blue sky. The relative effects of zenith distance and time of day on the per-cent scintillation of stars in the daytime were isolated. The daytime scintillation of stars was not markedly different from nighttime scintillation. The scintillation-frequency curves for both day and night showed characteristic humps at 10 to 20 c which are strong indications of hidden periodicities in stellar scintillation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 24, 1953
- Accession Number
- AD0010919
Entities
People
- J. Allen Hynek
Organizations
- Ohio State University