Refurbishment and commissioning of a dual-band 23/31 GHz tipping radiometer at potential radio astronomical sites

Abstract

This paper reports on the refurbishment of a dual-band 23/31 GHz tipping radiometer previously used to measure atmospheric water vapor content at the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory. We describe the motivation for the refurbishment, provide technical details of the modifications made to the instrument, and present preliminary test results of field measurements at the site of the High Energy Stereoscopic System Observatory in Namibia. Together with other radiometric measurements, this instrument will contribute to the site characterization of potential radio astronomical observatories in southern Africa.

Description

DATA AVAILABILITY : The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Keywords

Refurbishment, Dual-band 23/31 GHz tipping radiometer, Technical details, Preliminary test result, Field measurements, Radio astronomical observatories, Southern Africa, Water vapor radiometer (WVR), Precipitable water vapor (PWV)

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Citation

Cuazoson, J., Hiriart, D., Stander, T., Botha, R., Contreras, J., Ferrusca, D., Ibarra-Medel, E., Kurtz, S., Neate, R., Rojas, D. & Velázquez, M. Refurbishment and commissioning of a dual-band 23/31 GHz tipping radiometer at potential radio astronomical sites', Review of Scientific Instruments, vol. 96, no. 4, art. 044503, pp. 1-15doi : 10.1063/5.0239476.