Stray–radiation correction as applied to the Leiden/Dwingeloo survey of Hi  in the Galaxy

¹ Sterrewacht Leiden, Postbus 9513, 2300 RA, Leiden, The Netherlands
² Harvard–Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, 60 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, U.S.A.
³ Radioastronomisches Institut der Universität Bonn, Auf dem Hugel 71, 53121 Bonn, Germany

Send offprint request to: W.B. Burton

Received: 27 November 1995
Accepted: 6 February 1996

Abstract

This article describes the stray–radiation correction that was applied to the Hi  observations of the Leiden/Dwingeloo survey of Hartmann & Burton. This correction involved convolving the empirically–determined antenna pattern with the measured all–sky Hi  distribution. The importance of the correction is demonstrated and practice regarding its application described. The general algorithm used here is presented. The results obtained with this algorithm are compared to those following from other methods. The 0.07 K sensitivity level of the survey depends critically on the success of the stray–radiation correction.