Channel 37 Question

Factual Questions
1

I read in Wikipedia ( Link to Wikipedia article on Ch 37 ) that Channel 37 is used for radio astronomy.
It occupies the frequency 608 to 614 MHz on the UHF band. I realize in other countries may use a different frequency for their channel 37s, though in (at least) the USA, Canada and Mexico, they use 698-614 mhz and designate it as Ch 37.

I was wondering is there any special reason to use THAT particular frequency or could the FCC have use any frequency? Or is that a special frequency that has a meaning somehow?

2

From one of Wiki’s cites:

http://www.w9wi.com/tvdb/tvdbweir.htm

3

I have looked up resonant frequency of hydrogen on Google and come up with

42,580,000 hertz (42.58 MHz) (from Cornell Univ)

I see other values at other sites, but I am not familiar with the term. Can any one with a science background explain?

4

I too am hopeful that someone with operational knowledge can chime in.