Jupiter and Venus as K-Band Radio Frequency Sources for Antenna Calibration,
Abstract
The flux density from Jupiter and Venus increases with frequency and the angular diameter of these planets is smaller than that of most celestial radio sources. At K-band, Jupiter and Venus furnish enough radio frequency (RF) flux to perform many antenna calibration measurements if a low noise, wide bandwidth radio astronomy receiver is available. This signal is not strong enough for tracking, null depth or far out side lobe measurements, but can be used to measure gain, beamwidth, boresight location, pattern collimation, and boresight shift with elevation angle as well as for feed focusing. Under best conditions, the signal from Venus is strong enough to measure the level and location of the first few side lobes. Such a strong signal from Venus will occur in late summer and early fall of 1975. The report provides data on the flux density from Jupiter and Venus during the 1975 to 1976 time period and evaluates the use of this flux for antenna calibration. (Modified author abstract)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 20, 1973
- Accession Number
- AD0770984
Entities
People
- W. A. Sandberg
Organizations
- The Aerospace Corporation