Microwave solar radiometer at 2800 MHz

Abstract

A Dicke-type microwave radiometer has been developed for daily measurement of solar flux at 2800 MHz. The antenna system, consists of a 5 foot parabolic dish with horn feed, is equatorially mounted and is capable of tracking the sun for about 8 hours each day. The dynamic range of the radiometer is such that even strong solar bursts (flux = 10,000 × 10^-22 Watts m^-2 Hz^-1) can be recorded by using the receiver in the AGC mode. The calibration procedure and the errors involved in the measurement of the solar flux are briefly discussed. Some sample records of solar bursts made by means of this equipment are presented.