Baffling and Shielding System for a Millimeter-Wave balloonborne Telescope

Area of Science:

• Cosmology
• Astrophysics
• Instrumental Astronomy

Background:

• Diffuse sky radiation presents challenges for sensitive astronomical observations.
• Understanding the cosmic microwave background (CMB) requires minimizing instrumental noise and stray light.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the design and operation of a balloonborne telescope optimized for millimeter observations.
• To detail the custom baffling and shielding mechanisms developed to mitigate unwanted radiation.
• To report on the detection of cosmic microwave background structures using this instrument.

Main Methods:

• Development of a balloonborne telescope (ARGO) for millimeter-wave observations.
• Implementation of a custom shield design featuring roof mirrors to redirect stray radiation.
• Utilization of baffles to absorb radiation near the field of view.
• Two successful observational flights in 1989 and 1993.

Main Results:

• Successful operation of the ARGO telescope during two distinct flight campaigns.
• Effective reduction of unwanted radiation through innovative shield and baffle design.
• Detection of faint structures within the cosmic microwave background at degree scales.

Conclusions:

• The ARGO telescope's design effectively minimizes stray radiation for sensitive millimeter-wave astronomy.
• The instrument successfully detected degree-scale structures of the cosmic microwave background.
• This technology advances the capability for observing diffuse sky radiation.