Cornell Mayer, a radio astronomer who measured the thermal radiation from planets and who first calculated the surface temperature of Venus, died November 19 of heart disease at his home in Alexandria, Va. He was 83.

Mayer excelled in determining precise measurements from celestial sources. During the 1950s, when radio astronomy was in its infancy and little was known about planet atmospheres or surface temperatures, Mayer used the Naval Research Laboratory’s 50-foot dish antenna to launch his studies.

His 1958 discovery, later confirmed by U.S. and Soviet space probes, that the surface of Venus is hotter than 600 degrees and its atmosphere contains traces of water vapor, contradicted popular perceptions of the time that Venus was habitable. Mayer’s research also yielded accurate measurements of the surface temperature of Mars and the atmospheric temperature of Jupiter.

He collaborated with Charles Townes on experiments to improve the capabilities of detecting planetary thermal radiation. Townes called Mayer instrumental in the work that resulted in his 1964 Nobel Prize in physics, and he shared a portion of his monetary award with Mayer.

Mayer served as head of the Radio Astronomy Branch, Space Science Division, at the Naval Research Lab. He retired in 1980 after receiving numerous awards, including the Navy Superior Civilian Service Award in 1969. He wrote more than 76 scientific articles and was quoted at length in Isaac Asimov’s “The Secret of the Universe.”

While serving in the Navy and stationed at the Naval Research Laboratory, Mayer helped develop the first submarine periscope radar.