WHOLE DISK j- AND h-FILTER BRIGHTNESS MEASUREMENTS OF THE MOON

Authors

Richard W. Schmude Jr., Gordon State CollegeFollow

Abstract

An SSP-4 photometer along with a small lens (diameter = 0.01 m, focal length = 0.06 m) was used in measuring the brightness of the Moon in near-infrared wavelengths. A small lens was needed to reduce the size of the Moon so that it would fit inside the photometer’s 1.0 mm field of view. These measurements appear to be the first whole-disk measurements of the Moon in the standard J and H filters. These filters are sensitive to wavelengths of 1150-1350 and 1500-1800 nanometers, respectively. The results are consistent with a J – H value of 0.60 magnitudes at a phase angle of 120° (waning crescent phase). The full Moon (with opposition surge) is estimated to be magnitude –14.75 (0.15) and –15.51 (0.15) magnitudes for the J and H filters, respectively. Uncertainties are in parentheses.

Acknowledgements

The speaker is grateful for a faculty Development grant that enabled him to purchase the SSP-4 photometer.

Recommended Citation

Schmude, Richard W. Jr. (2023) "WHOLE DISK j- AND h-FILTER BRIGHTNESS MEASUREMENTS OF THE MOON," Georgia Journal of Science, Vol. 81, No. 1, Article 90.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.gaacademy.org/gjs/vol81/iss1/90