Interpretation of the ARCADE 2 Absolute Sky Brightness Measurement

We use absolutely calibrated data between 3 and 90 GHz from the 2006 balloon flight of the ARCADE 2 instrument, along with previous measurements at other frequencies, to constrain models of extragalactic emission. Such emission is a combination of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) monopole, Gala...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Astrophysical journal 2011-06, Vol.734 (1), p.6-jQuery1323907514848='48'
Main Authors: Seiffert, M, Fixsen, D. J, Kogut, A, Levin, S. M, Limon, M, Lubin, P. M, Mirel, P, Singal, J, Villela, T, Wollack, E, Wuensche, C. A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Astronomy
ASTROPHYSICS, COSMOLOGY AND ASTRONOMY
BRIGHTNESS
Earth, ocean, space
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EMISSION
Exact sciences and technology
GALAXIES
MICROWAVE RADIATION
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIATIONS
RADIOWAVE RADIATION
RELICT RADIATION
SKY
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Summary:We use absolutely calibrated data between 3 and 90 GHz from the 2006 balloon flight of the ARCADE 2 instrument, along with previous measurements at other frequencies, to constrain models of extragalactic emission. Such emission is a combination of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) monopole, Galactic foreground emission, the integrated contribution of radio emission from external galaxies, any spectral distortions present in the CMB, and any other extragalactic source. After removal of estimates of foreground emission from our own Galaxy, and an estimated contribution of external galaxies, we present fits to a combination of the flat-spectrum CMB and potential spectral distortions in the CMB. We find 2 Delta *s upper limits to CMB spectral distortions of Delta *m < 6 X 10--4 and |Y ff| < 1 X 10--4. We also find a significant detection of a residual signal beyond that, which can be explained by the CMB plus the integrated radio emission from galaxies estimated from existing surveys. This residual signal may be due to an underestimated galactic foreground contribution, an unaccounted for contribution of a background of radio sources, or some combination of both. The residual signal is consistent with emission in the form of a power law with amplitude 18.4 ? 2.1 K at 0.31 GHz and a spectral index of --2.57 ? 0.05.
ISSN:0004-637X
1538-4357
DOI:10.1088/0004-637X/734/1/6