Preliminary Observations of the Galaxy with a 7° Beam by the Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE)

Abstract

The FIRAS instrument on COBE has mapped almost the entire sky with a 7° beam and a spectral resolution of about 1 cm −1 over the 1-100 cm −1 range. Maps showing the strengths of the three main components: dust continuum, [C II] and [N II] are presented. A mean spectrum of the galactic emission is found. These results are used to compare the Milky Way to other galaxies.