Rocket Measurements of the Galactic Background at 100 μ

Abstract

Measurements of the diffuse background radiation in the 85–115 μ band are presented, as observed from altitudes close to 190 km with a rocket-borne, liquid helium cooled telescope. Evidence is given for detection of the galactic background due to thermal grain emission at galactic latitudes of 5–35°, and at a galactic longitude of ~ 163°. At small latitudes, the background intensity is measured to be ~ 9 × 10–11 W cm–2 sr–1; the average number density of grains derived is consistent with the optically determined measure. The 100 μ data is compared with 20 μ data taken on the same flight, in order to draw some conclusions about the grain emissivity and temperature.