Search arXiv⌕ Search
Home/Archive/arXiv

arXiv · 2101.03396

A Data-Taking System for Planetary Radar Applications

J. L. Margot
View original source ↗Read source document ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Most planetary radar applications require recording of complex voltages at sampling rates of up to 20 MHz. I describe the design and implementation of a sampling system that has been installed at the Arecibo Observatory, Goldstone Solar System Radar, and Green Bank Telescope. After many years of operation, these data-taking systems have enabled the acquisition of hundreds of data sets, many of which still await publication.

Explore related subjects

astro-ph.IMastro-ph.EP

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

J. L. Margot. 2021-01-09. A Data-Taking System for Planetary Radar Applications. https://doi.org/10.1142/s225117172150001x

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related papers

arXiv2026

GREX-PLUS Science Book v2

GREX-PLUS (Galaxy Reionization EXplorer and PLanetary Universe Spectrometer) is a mission candidate for a JAXA strategic L-class mission to be launched in the 2030s. Its primary science goals are two-fold: galaxy formation and evolution, and planetary system formation and evolution. The GREX-PLUS spacecraft will carry a telescope with a 1 m primary mirror aperture cooled down to 50 K. The two science instruments will be onboard: a wide-field camera in the 2--8 $μ$m wavelength band and a high-resolution spectrometer with a wavelength resolution of 30,000 in the 10--18 $μ$m band. The GREX-PLUS wide-field camera aims to detect the first generation of galaxies at redshift $z>15$. The GREX-PLUS high-resolution spectrometer aims to identify the location of the water ``snowline'' in protoplanetary disks. Both instruments will provide unique datasets for a broad range of scientific topics, including galaxy mass assembly, the origin of supermassive blackholes, infrared background radiation, molecular spectroscopy in the interstellar medium, transit spectroscopy of exoplanet atmospheres, planetary atmospheres in the Solar System, and so on. This document is the second version of a collection of scientific themes that can be achieved with GREX-PLUS. Each section in Chapters~2 and 3 is based on presentations at several GREX-PLUS Science Workshops.

astro-ph.IM↗
arXiv2026

A ready-to-deploy MLOps software platform for satellite and NEO detection at meter-class ground-based observatories

Ground-based astronomical observations frequently contain streaks produced by artificial satellites, space debris, and potentially Near-Earth Objects (NEOs). While machine-learning models can reliably detect these features, their practical adoption in observatory operations is often limited by the lack of integrated tools for visual inspection, validation, workflow management, and structured data storage. This paper presents the StreakMind Workbench, a framework that applies MLOps practices to bridge research-oriented machine-learning pipelines with routine observatory operations. Rather than introducing new detection algorithms, the Workbench addresses a software-engineering challenge in astronomical computing: maintaining a single authoritative source of scientific processing code while providing astronomers with an operational environment for workflow execution and result inspection. Integrated with the reference StreakMind AI model of Carrillo et al. (2026) and implemented in Python using PyQt5, the Workbench supports the complete workflow from FITS ingestion to database storage, including inference, result inspection, database exploration, training management, and Minor Planet Center formatted observations. Validation on 273 images from La Sagra Observatory demonstrates successful end-to-end workflows while maintaining consistency with the underlying StreakMind scientific code. The platform facilitates operational use of a research ML pipeline in meter-class observatories and moderate-scale campaigns, supporting Space Situational Awareness and planetary defence.

astro-ph.IM↗
arXiv2026

Performance characterization of a new Structural and Thermal Architecture for a future spaceborne Closed-Cycle Dilution Refrigerator

A Structural and Thermal Model (STM) has been developed to support the new spaceborne Closed-Cycle Dilution Refrigerator (CCDR), which aims to provide continuous cooling at 100~mK for long-duration astrophysical missions. The STM is based on a hexapod architecture that ensures both thermal decoupling and mechanical robustness during launch. In this paper, we present the characterization of its thermal and mechanical performances. A dedicated experimental setup was used to investigate the thermal behavior of the STM across a broad temperature range. The study reveals limitations of the collar design, with incomplete power interception from thermal boundary resistances and vibration test failure traced to defective strut gluing. These results guide the next STM iteration with optimized collar and strut assembly for reliable CCDR operation in space.

astro-ph.IM↗