Status Report

HST Daily Report # 3284

By SpaceRef Editor
January 22, 2003
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HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE

DAILY REPORT # 3284

PERIOD COVERED: DOY 21

OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED

NICMOS 8790

NICMOS Post-SAA calibration – CR Persistence Part 1.

A new procedure proposed to alleviate the CR-persistence problem of NICMOS.
Dark
frames will be obtained immediately upon exiting the SAA contour 23, and every
time a NICMOS exposure is scheduled within 50 minutes of coming out of the SAA.
The darks will be obtained in parallel in all three NICMOS Cameras. The
POST-SAA
darks will be non-standard reference files available to users with a USEAFTER
date/time mark.

STIS/CCD 9066

Closing in on the Hydrogen Reionization Edge of the Universe.

The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used in parallel constrain
the Hydrogen reionization edge in emission that marks the transition from a
neutral to a fully ionized IGM at a predicted redshifts.

STIS/CCD/MA1 9357

Towards a global understanding of accretion physics –, Clues from an UV
spectroscopic survey of cataclysmic variables

Accretion inflows and outflows are fundamental phenomena in a wide variety of
astrophysical environments, such as Young Stellar Objects, galactic binaries,
and AGN. Observationally, cataclysmic variables {CVs} are particularly well
suited for the study of accretion processes. We propose to carry out a STIS UV
spectroscopic snapshot survey of CVs that fully exploits the diagnostic
potential of these objects for our understanding of accretion physics. This
survey will provide an homogenous database of accretion disc and wind outflow
spectra covering a wide range of mass transfer rates and binary
inclinations. We
will analyze these spectra with state-of-the-art accretion disc model spectra
{SYNDISK}, testing our current knowledge of the accretion disc structure, and,
thereby, providing new insight into the so far not well understood process of
viscous dissipation. We will use our parameterised wind model PYTHON for the
analysis of the radiation driven accretion disc wind spectra, assessing the
fundamental question whether the mass loss rate correlates with the disc
luminosity. In addition, our survey data will identify a number of systems in
which the white dwarf significantly contributes to the UV flux, permitting an
analysis of the impact of mass accretion on the evolution of these compact
stars. This survey will at least double, if not triple, the number of
high-quality accretion disc / wind outflow / accreting white dwarf spectra, and
we waive our proprietary rights to permit a timely use of this database.

ACS 9401

The ACS Virgo Cluster Survey

is to exploit the exceptional imaging capabilities of the ACS by acquiring deep
images — in the SDSS g^ and z^ bandpasses — for 163 E, S0, dE, dE, N
and dS0
galaxies in Virgo, the nearest rich cluster. This extraordinary dataset would
likely constitute one of the principal legacies of HST, and would have
widespread applications for many diverse areas of astrophysics. Our immediate
scientific objectives are threefold: {1} measure metallicities, ages and radii
for the many thousands of globular clusters {GCs} in these galaxies, and use
this information to derive the protogalactic mass spectrum of each galaxy; {2}
measure the central luminosity and color profile of each galaxy, and use this
information to carry out a completely independent test of the merging hierarchy
inferred from the GCs, with the aid of N-body codes that simulate the merger of
galaxies containing massive black holes; and {3} calibrate the z^ -band SBF
method, measure Virgo’s 3-D structure, and carry out the definitive study
of the
GC luminosity function’s precision as a standard candle. Our proposed Virgo
Cluster Survey will yield a database of unprecedented depth, precision and
uniformity, and will enable us to study the record of galaxy and cluster
formation in a level of detail which will never be possible with more distant
systems.

ACS 9438

The Origin of the Intergalactic Globular Cluster Population in Abell 1185

We request deep V and I observations with ACS to examine the properties of a
newly discovered population of intergalactic globular clusters in the core of
the rich galaxy cluster Abell 1185. Our previous WFPC2 observations of this
field {GO-8164} revealed an excess of five times the number of objects at the
expected magnitudes of globular clusters compared to the Hubble Deep
Fields. The
colors and luminosity function of these intergalactic globular clusters will
place strong constraints on their origin, which in turn will yield new insights
to the evolution of galaxy populations in dense environments

NICMOS 9484

The NICMOS Parallel Observing Program

We propose to manage the default set of pure parallels with NICMOS. Our
experience with both our GO NICMOS parallel program and the public parallel
NICMOS programs in cycle 7 prepared us to make optimal use of the parallel
opportunities. The NICMOS G141 grism remains the most powerful survey tool for
HAlpha emission-line galaxies at cosmologically interesting redshifts. It is
particularly well suited to addressing two key uncertainties regarding the
global history of star formation: the peak rate of star formation in the
relatively unexplored but critical 1<= z <= 2 epoch, and the amount of star formation missing from UV continuum-based estimates due to high extinction. Our proposed deep G141 exposures will increase the sample of known HAlpha emission- line objects at z ~ 1.3 by roughly an order of magnitude. We will also obtain a mix of F110W and F160W images along random sight-lines to examine the space density and morphologies of the reddest galaxies. The nature of the extremely red galaxies remains unclear and our program of imaging and grism spectroscopy provides unique information regarding both the incidence of obscured star bursts and the build up of stellar mass at intermediate redshifts. In addition to carrying out the parallel program we will populate a public database with calibrated spectra and images, and provide limited ground- based optical and near-IR data for the deepest parallel fields.

WFPC2 9594

WFPC2 CYCLE 11 SUPPLEMENTAL DARKS pt2/3

This dark calibration program obtains 3 dark frames every day to provide data
for monitoring and characterizing the evolution of hot pixels

STIS 9605

CCD Dark Monitor-Part 1

Monitor the darks for the STIS CCD

STIS 9607

CCD Bias Monitor – Part 1

Monitor the bias in the 1×1, 1×2, 2×1, and 2×2 bin settings at gain=1, and 1×1
at gain = 4, to build up high-S/N superbiases and track the evolution of hot
columns.

STIS/CAL 9609

CCD Read Noise Monitor

This proposal measures the read noise of all the amplifiers {A, B, C, D} on the
STIS CCD using pairs of bias frames. Full frame and binned observations are
made
in both Gain 1 and Gain 4, with binning factors of 1×1, 1×2, 2×1 and 2×2. All
exposures are internals. Pairs of visits are scheduled for monthly execution.

STIS 9612

STIS CCD Hot Pixel Annealing Cycle 11

The effectiveness of the CCD hot pixel annealing process is assessed by
measuring the dark current behavior before and after annealing and by searching
for any window contamination effects. In addition CTE performance is
examined by
looking for traps in a low signal level flat. Follows on from proposal 8906.

STIS 9613

STIS CCD Spectroscopic Flats C11

Obtain CCD flats on the STIS CCD in spectroscopic mode.

STIS 9614

STIS CCD Imaging Flats C11

Investigate flat-field stability over a monthly period.

STIS 9633

STIS parallel archive proposal – Nearby Galaxies – Imaging and Spectroscopy

Using parallel opportunities with STIS which were not allocated by the TAC, we
propose to obtain deep STIS imagery with both the Clear {50CCD} and Long-Pass
{F28X50LP} filters in order to make color-magnitude diagrams and luminosity
functions for nearby galaxies. For local group galaxies, we also include G750L
slitless spectroscopy to search for e.g., Carbon stars, late M giants and
S-type
stars. This survey will be useful to study the star formation histories,
chemical evolution, and distances to these galaxies. These data will be placed
immediately into the Hubble Data Archive.

WFPC2 9634

POMS Test Proposal: WFII targeted parallel archive proposal

slightly different way from the normal pure parallels. Local Group galaxies
offer the opportunity for a closer look at young stellar populations.
Narrow-band images in F656N can be used both to identify young stars via their
emission lines, and to map the gas distribution in star-forming regions. Thus,
the filter F656N is added to the four standard filters. Near more distant
galaxies, up to about 10 Mpc, we can map the population of globular clusters;
for this purpose, F300W is less useful, and only F450W, F606W, and F814W
will be
used.

ACS/WFC 9648

External CTE Monitor

Monitor CTE changes during cycle 11. Determine CTE

ACS 9671

ACS Ramp Filter Check

The wavelength vs position mapping and the large scale sensitivity
{L-Flats} for
the ramps are constructed using data obtained on the ground. These observations
will allow us to verify the validity of these solutions on-orbit and to provide
a baseline for future checks

ACS 9673

CCD Daily Monitor

This program consists of basic tests to monitor, the read noise, the
development
of hot pixels and test for any source of noise in ACS CCD detectors. This
programme will be executed once a day for the entire lifetime of ACS

WFPC2 9676

POMS Test Proposal: WFII parallel archive proposal

This is the generic target version of the WFPC2 Archival Pure Parallel program.
The program will be used to take parallel images of random areas of the sky,
following the recommendations of the 2002 Parallels Working Group.

ACS/WFC 9684

The Ultraluminous X-Ray Source in Holmberg II

We propose to a program of Chandra and HST observations to test the recent
suggestion that the bright X-ray source in Holmberg II is surrounded by a
photoionization nebula powered by a central object with a luminosity of order
10^40 erg/s.

STIS 9706

STIS Pure Parallel Imaging Program: Cycle 10

This is the default archival pure parallel program for STIS during cycle 10.

FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUMMARY:

Significant Spacecraft Anomalies: (The following are preliminary reports of
potential non-nominal performance that will be investigated.) None

COMPLETED OPS REQs: None

OPS NOTES EXECUTED: 1066-0 Download Venus Observation Macro Load @
021/1655z (on
CCS-A & G) 0900-1 COMMAND PROBLEM @ 021/21:45:15z

SCHEDULED SUCCESSFUL FAILURE TIMES FGS GSacq 10 10 FGS REacq 5 5 FHST Update 15 15 LOSS of LOCK

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS: None

SpaceRef staff editor.