Rocket measurement of the submillimeter cosmic background spectrum.

The spectrum of the cosmic background radiation (CBR) has been measured using a liquid helium cooled spectrometer carried to high altitude by a rocket. The spectrum in the frequency band 2 to 30 cm-1 is very well fitted by a Planck function of temperature T=2.736K. The estimated experimental accuracy of the mean temperature is +/- 17 mK. Copyright 1993 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic reproduction and distribution, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modification of the content of the paper are prohibited.Science, Faculty ofPhysics and Astronomy, Department ofReviewedFacult