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A new method of measuring radio source parameters of a partially polarized distributed source from spacecraft observationsAn experimental system is analyzed which is designed to determine the angular and polarization properties of low frequency radio sources from measurements made on a spinning spacecraft. The system has been optimized to provide high accuracies for sources at high as well as low elevation angles. Theoretical expressions are derived for the response of this system to a partially polarized point source. Integrations are then carried out to get the system response to a uniform circular distributed source. Data processing techniques are derived so that computer simulations can be carried out to investigate the accuracy of this technique. It is shown that using 24 measurements of a partially polarized source (with Q = U = V = 0.5), taken in one spacecraft rotation, the resulting rms errors in angular position are less than one degree and the errors in determining the Stokes parameters are generally 1-10% for a wide range of source elevations.
Document ID
19800055381
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Manning, R.
(Paris, Observatoire, Meudon Hauts-de-Seine, France)
Fainberg, J.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Laboratory for Extraterrestrial Physics, Greenbelt, Md., United States)
Date Acquired
August 10, 2013
Publication Date
June 1, 1980
Publication Information
Publication: Space Science Instrumentation
Volume: 5
Subject Category
Space Communications, Spacecraft Communications, Command And Tracking
Accession Number
80A39551
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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