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background radiation
background radiation Electromagnetic radiation arriving at a telescope detector or receiver that does not come from the source under observation. In radio astronomy, background radiation comes from the Milky Way and the cosmic microwave background from the Universe as a whole. In infrared astronomy, background radiation from the atmosphere and from the telescope itself can be considerable, but may be reduced by careful design of the telescope and instruments.
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"background radiation." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "background radiation." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-backgroundradiation.html "background radiation." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-backgroundradiation.html |
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background radiation
background radiation Radiation that is normally present in an environment. Such radiation must be taken into account when measuring radiation from a particular source. On Earth, background radiation is caused by the decay of naturally occurring radioactive substances in surface rocks. In space, the so-called ‘microwave background’ is attributed to the Big Bang explosion that supposedly created the Universe.
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"background radiation." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "background radiation." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-backgroundradiation.html "background radiation." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-backgroundradiation.html |
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background radiation
background radiation Low-intensity ionizing radiation present on the surface of the earth and in the atmosphere as a result of cosmic radiation and the presence of radioisotopes in the earth's rocks, soil, and atmosphere. The radioisotopes are either natural or the result of nuclear fallout or waste gas from power stations.
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Cite this article
"background radiation." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "background radiation." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-backgroundradiation.html "background radiation." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-backgroundradiation.html |
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