[amsat-bb] Radio and optical observation of solar eclipse march 29/2006 in JN70ES

["i8cvs" <domenico.i8cvs@xxxxxx>]

Hi all,

The partial solar eclipse of about 65% has been observed from
my QTH in JN70ES near Napoli Italy

For the optical observation has been used a QUESTAR 3.5" optical
telescope and for the radio observation has been used a 1.2 meters
prime focus dish F/D=0.45 with the associated receivers already in 
use with AO40

The eclipse started at about 09:24 UTC going to a maximum of partial
occultation of about 65% at 10:30 UTC and ending at about 11:50
UTC

For the radio observation and measurement of sun noise at 2400 MHz
during the eclipse the output of a homemade  2400/144 MHz
downconverter has been connected to the input of a 80 dB gain G3WDG
144 MHz Wideband Noise Amplifier in conjunction with a calibrated
HP 435A Power Meter

The Solar Flux from NOAA at 10.3 cm (2800 MHz) at time of the eclipse
was about 79 sfu
The gain of the 1.2 meter dish is 28 dBi and the overall temperature of
the receiving system at 2400 MHz was measured to be 72 kelvin or about
1 dB
The dish was aimed manually using precise selsyn indicators for Azimuth
and Elevation and InstantTrack 

Time UTC                          measured sun noise
                                                      (dB)
08:00                               4.0     before start of the eclipse
09:20                               4.0     at beginning of the eclipse
09:30                               3.8
10:01                               3.5
10:15                               3.3
10:23                               3.0
10:30                               2.5
10:45                               2.5
11:09                               3.0
11:24                               3.5
11:50                               4.0   end of the eclipse

Conclusion:

Using 1.2 meter dish with F/D=0.45 and a 3.5 turn helix feed to
a low noise preamplifier in focal point and a downconverter for 
2400 MHz  with an overall receiving system NF= 1 dB a total 
variation of 1.5 dB in sun noise was measured during the eclipse.

I hope to use again the above equipments for P3E and not for
the next solar eclipse.

Tank you for any comment or any observation and suggestion.

Best 73" de

i8CVS Domenico 
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