Citation
Abstract
Support provided by the DSN to radio science experiments is summarized for the period of January—October 1973. The 26-m and 64-m antennas were used to conduct Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) observations of pulsars, quasars, and radio galaxies. Radio astronomy scientists used the 64-m antenna at Goldstone, California, at 2.3 and 8.4 GHz to measure the confusion distribution of weak radio sources, to determine the population of radio sources near certain spiral galaxies, and to study emissions from various pulsars. This radio telescope was also used at 14 GHz to search for interstellar molecules and to study radio emission from Jupiter and Uranus; pulsar observations were also conducted at this frequency. The high-power transmitter capability of the Goldstone 64-m antenna was also used for radar ranging to the planets Venus, Mercury, and Mars for the purpose of improving the ephemerides of Venus and Mercury in support of the Mariner Venus/Mercury 1973 Project and to obtain surface height and roughness data of Mars in support of the Viking Mars 1975 Project. Some radio sciencerelated DSN development activities were also carried on; these included attempts to obtain radar return from Saturn and/or its rings and to search for radar reflection from Jupiter or its moon Ganymede. In addition, VLBI techniques were used to make measurements between California and Spain to determine Deep Space Station locations, Earth polar motion, and Universal Time to higher precision. A bibliography of papers published by radio scientists using data obtained with DSN facilities is included.
Details
- Volume
- XVIII
- Published
- December 15, 1973
- Pages
- 20–28
- File Size
- 739.4 KB