DEEP SPACE 1420 • 2026

1420 MHz 24-Hour Continuum Right-Ascension Observations

Six consecutive 24-hour continuum scans

Deep Space 1420 • July 29 – August 3, 2026 • Mishawaka, Indiana • 4.5-meter radio telescope

Observation Summary

Observing mode	24-hour continuum scans
Telescope position	AZ 164° • EL 40.1°
Observation dates	July 29 through August 3, 2026
Number of scans	6
Horizontal coordinate	Calculated right ascension (hours)
Baseline treatment	Each CSV zeroed to its own duration-independent quiet-sky baseline
Principal feature	RA 18.67–18.75 h
Measured peak range	Approximately 0.25–0.36 dB above quiet-sky baseline

Six consecutive 24-hour continuum observations were obtained at a fixed telescope position of AZ 164° and EL 40.1°. The original scan curves were retained, independently referenced to quiet-sky baseline, and shifted to calculated right ascension for comparison.

Figure 1 — July 29, 2026

The July 29 observation shows the principal narrow continuum feature at RA 18.69 h, reaching approximately 0.30 dB above its quiet-sky baseline.

Figure 1. July 29 continuum scan, AZ 164°, EL 40.1°, with the principal peak at RA 18.69 h.

Figure 2 — July 30, 2026

The July 30 observation reproduces the same feature at RA 18.67 h with a measured peak of approximately 0.30 dB above the independently determined quiet-sky baseline.

Figure 2. July 30 continuum scan with the principal peak at RA 18.67 h.

Figure 3 — July 31, 2026

The July 31 observation places the feature at RA 18.70 h and records the strongest peak in the six-scan set at approximately 0.36 dB.

Figure 3. July 31 continuum scan with the principal peak at RA 18.70 h.

Figure 4 — August 1, 2026

The August 1 observation again detects the narrow feature, centered at RA 18.74 h and measuring approximately 0.25 dB above its quiet-sky baseline.

Figure 4. August 1 continuum scan with the principal peak at RA 18.74 h.

Figure 5 — August 2, 2026

The August 2 observation records the feature at RA 18.75 h with a measured peak of approximately 0.31 dB, continuing the close RA agreement between observations.

Figure 5. August 2 continuum scan with the principal peak at RA 18.75 h.

Figure 6 — August 3, 2026

The August 3 observation places the principal feature at RA 18.70 h and approximately 0.35 dB, closely matching the position and strength seen on July 31.

Figure 6. August 3 continuum scan with the principal peak at RA 18.70 h.

Figure 7 — Six-Scan RA Comparison

The six observations are overlaid in right ascension for direct comparison. Their principal peaks fall between RA 18.67 h and 18.75 h, demonstrating repeatable detection of the same narrow continuum feature across the six observing dates.

Figure 7. Combined overlay of all six 24-hour continuum scans, with the repeated principal feature clustered near RA 18.7 h.

Observation Interpretation

The six independently processed observations place the principal continuum peak within only 0.08 hour of right ascension, while its measured amplitude varies between approximately 0.25 and 0.36 dB. The combined overlay provides the clearest view of this positional repeatability.

Differences in the broader baseline and surrounding continuum structure remain visible between dates, while the narrow feature near RA 18.7 h persists through the complete six-scan series.