IR Telescope Model

Image #2

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 Code Number :   8A20.55

Disclaimer:

Reprinted by permission of Dick Berg, University of Maryland, for use on this website.

The demonstrations contained and referenced herein are listed for the purposes of cataloging and describing physics demonstrations which should be conducted only under the direction of a trained instructional support professional or physicist. These demonstrations are not presented for the purpose of being conducted by persons unconnected to this Facility and/or persons not consulting with or being supervised by the recognized instructional support professional or physicist and his/her staff. The University is responsible only for those demonstrations carried out using its own equipment using established safety and scheduling policies, and bears no responsibility for those choosing to use this source material for their own purposes. All demonstrations described and contained herein are public domain, and can also be found in reference materials in libraries, bookstores, and electronic sources.

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Condition :   Good  
Principle :   Infrared heat detection,  Blackbody Radiation
Area of Study :  Astronomy   
Equipment :   Digital Thermometer with sensitive thermocouple, small mass thermocouple, Styrofoam block with hollowed blackened cone.
Procedure :   Insert a sensitive thermocouple into the Styrofoam block so that it just protrudes into the apex of the cone.  On a clear night, point the cone up at the sky and let the thermometer equilibrate.  Observe the temperature.  Then point the cone at the ground and let equilibrate.  Again observe the temperature.  The ground temperature should be several degrees warmer than the sky temperature due to the re-radiation of heat that the ground gained during the daylight hours when the sun was shining.  
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   References
H. Richard Crane, "The Cold Night Sky", TPT, Vol. 22, # 4, Apr. 1984, p. 248.

Paul L. Richards and Craig R. McCreight, "Infrared Detectors for Astrophysics", Physics Today, Feb. 2005, p. 41.

 

Janice VanCleave, "Heat Telescope", Janice VanCleave's 204 Sticky, Gloppy, Wacky, and Wonderful Experiments, # 33, p. 20.



Mail Questions and Comments to:  Dale Stille