Report on the lunar ranging at McDonald Observatory for the period 1 June 1976 to 23 September 1976

Abstract

The four summer lunations produced 126 acquisitions. August was the third best lunation in the history of the McDonald station with continuous ranging following the B.O-magnitude earthquake in the Phil1ipines. Laser and electronics problems were plentiful. Clock jitter was reduced to 100 picoseconds. Hourly drift in the observed range residuals is noted. R&D efforts were minimal due to system trouble shooting throughout most of the report period.