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Cogdell, J. R.

Publications and source records attributed to Cogdell, J. R..

Observations and analysis of lunar radio emission at 3.09 mm wavelength

An analysis of data on lunar radio emission at 3.09 mm wavelength is presented. The data were obtained during a single lunation in a manner that facilitates their comparison with a calculated model. Specific regions of the moon (Copernicus, Sea of Serenity, Sea of Tranquillity, Ocean of Storms, and an highland region near the mean center) were studied with enough angular resolution to distinguish between different types of terrain. The data were absolutely calibrated and yield a new measurement of the lunation average brightness temperature of the center of the moon.

Ulich, B. L.↗

Astigmatism in reflector antennas.

Astigmatic phase error in large parabolic reflector antennas is discussed. A procedure for focusing an antenna and diagnosing the presence and degree of astigmatism is described. Theoretical analysis is conducted to determine the nature of this error in such antennas.

Cogdell, J. R.↗

Planetary brightness temperature measurements at 8.6 mm and 3.1 mm wavelengths.

New measurements of the sun, moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn at 3.1- and 8.6-mm wavelengths are given. The temperatures reported for the planets at 3.1-mm wavelength are higher than previous measurements in this wavelength range and change the interpretation of some planetary spectra. For Mercury, it is found that the mean brightness temperature is independent of wavelength and that a temperature-dependent thermal conductivity is not required to match the observations. In the case of Mars, the spectrum is shown to rise in the millimeter region, as simple models predict. For Jupiter, the need to recalculate the spectrum with recent models is demonstrated. The flux density scale proposed by Dent (1972) has been revised according to a more accurate determination of the millimeter brightness temperature of Jupiter.

Ulich, B. L.↗

Lunar polarization studies at 3.1 mm wavelength

Observations of the distribution of linearly polarized lunar thermal emission were made at a wavelength of 3.1 mm with The University of Texas 4.88 m parabolic reflector (0.042 deg HPBW). A shadow corrected, rough surface, thermal emission model for a homogeneous moon was least-squares-fitted to the polarization data. Results indicate an effective lunar dielectric constant of 1.34 plus or minus 0.04 with surface roughness characterized by a standard deviation of 17 (plus or minus 5) deg for surface slopes with a normal probability density, independent of lunar phase. A comparison of these results with published values at other wavelengths suggests that the effective lunar dielectric constant, as obtained by lunar emission measurements, decreases with decreasing wavelength of observation. This wavelength dependence may be interpreted in terms of an inhomogeneous surface and/or a surface that possesses intermediate scale surface roughness.

White, T. L.↗

The linear polarization of lunar thermal emission at 3.1 mm wavelength

Several observations of the distribution of linearly polarized lunar thermal emission were made at a wavelength of 3.1 mm with 4.88 m parabolic reflector from February to March 1971. A shadow corrected rough surface thermal emission model was least squares fitted to the data. Results indicate an effective lunar dielectric constant of 1.34 + or -.08 with surface roughness characterized by a standard deviation of surface slopes of 18 deg + or - 2 deg. A comparison of these results with previously published values at other wavelengths suggests that the effective lunar dielectric constant decreases with decreasing wavelength.

White, T. L.↗

Planetary observations at millimeter wavelengths

Observations of the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn were made at 3.1 mm and 8.6 mm wavelengths with a 16-foot radio telescope between March and August, 1971. Absolute brightness temperature data are given. All errors are one standard deviation and include uncertainties in antenna gain calibration. The solar and lunar temperatures are in excellent agreement with published observations. The planetary measurements at 3.1 mm are consistently higher than previous results. The implications of higher temperatures with respect to existing atmospheric and surface models are discussed.

Ulich, B. L.↗

Pencil beam observation of a large microwave outburst at 94.8 GHz.

Radiotelescopic observations of an impulsive outburst of the sun on Mar. 27, 1969 are discussed in terms of the location and size of the source region. Two different methods have been used for this purpose. It is concluded that the outburst region was 30 seconds or less in diameter. Based on this diameter, a peak source equivalent temperature of 7 million K is indicated.

Cogdell, J. R.↗