Brightness temperatures of the quiet sun and new moon at the 6 mm wavelength

Absolute brightness temperatures and brightness temperature ratios of a quiet region near the center of the solar disk and the central region of the new moon were measured simultaneously at the 6 mm wavelength. The measured quiet sun/new moon brightness temperature ratios and reported central brightness temperatures of the new moon confirm the measured brightness temperature of the quiet sun at the 6 mm wavelength.Reported central brightness temperatures of the new moon are tabulated and graphed as a function of frequency and wavelength. The equation of a linear regression line for the reported measurements is given for estimating the brightness temperature of the new moon at any millimeter wavelength. Estimated brightness temperatures of the new moon and measured quiet sun/new moon ratios are used to estimate solar brightness temperatures at several millimeter wavelengths. The solar brightness temperatures, the regression line, and the Van de Hulst theoretical model are presented graphically as a function of frequency and wavelength. The regression line equation is given for estimating solar brightness temperatures at any wavelength in the 6 to 1 mm wavelength interval and is solved for the wavelength of the measured ratios.Reported solar brightness temperatures in the millimeter wavelength region are tabulated. The measured temperatures in the 6 to 1 mm wavelength interval and a linear regression line are presented graphically as a function of frequency and wavelength. The regression line equation is given and solved for the solar brightness temperatures at the 6 mm wavelength.This work supported by the U.S. Air Force under Contract No. F04701-69-C-0066.