Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report #3361
HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE
DAILY REPORT # 3361
PERIOD COVERED: DOY 132
OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED
NICMOS 8791
NICMOS Post-SAA calibration – CR Persistence Part 2
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. The keyword ‘USEAFTER=date/time’ will also be added to
the
header of each POST-SAA DARK frame. The keyword must be populated with
the
time,
in addition to the date, because HST crosses the SAA ~8 times per day so
each
POST-SAA DARK will need to have the appropriate time specified, for users
to
identify the ones they need. Both the raw and processed images will be
archived
as POST-SAA DARKSs. Generally we expect that all NICMOS
science/calibration
observations started within 50 minutes of leaving an SAA will need such
maps to
remove the CR persistence from the science images. Each observation will
need
its own CRMAP, as different SAA passages leave different imprints on the
NICMOS
detectors.
ACS/WFC/HRC 9075
Cosmological Parameters from Type Ia Supernovae at High Redshift.
The Advanced Camera for Surveys (WFC and HRC) was used to obtain a Hubble
diagram of Type Ia supernovae {SNe Ia} that will be of long lasting value
as a
record of the expansion history of the universe.
STIS/CCD 9186
D/H in Lyman Limit Absorbers with Simple Velocity Structure.
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to observe the
deuterium
abundance in QSO absorbers that provides a direct measurement of the
baryonic
density of the Universe. This proposal will obtain new high resolution
data of
two carefully selected, intermediate redshift absorption systems.
NICMOS/STIS CCD 9405
The Origin of Gamma-Ray Bursts
The rapid and accurate localization of gamma-ray bursts {GRBs} promised
by a
working HETE-2 during the coming year may well revolutionize our ability
to
study these enigmatic, highly luminous transients. We propose a program
of HST
and Chandra observations to capitalize on this extraordinary opportunity.
We
will perform some of the most stringent tests yet of the standard model,
in
which GRBs represent collimated relativistic outflows from collapsing
massive
stars. NICMOS imaging and STIS CCD spectroscopy will detect broad atomic
features of supernovae underlying GRB optical transients, at luminosities
more
than three times fainter than SN 1998bw. UV, optical, and X-ray
spectroscopy
will be used to study the local ISM around the GRB. Chandra spectroscopy
will
investigate whether the GRB X-ray lines are from metals freshly ripped
from the
stellar core by the GRB. HST and CTIO infra-red imaging of the GRBs and
their
hosts will be used to determine whether `dark’ bursts are the product of
unusually strong local extinction; imaging studies may for the first time
locate
the hosts of `short’ GRBs. Our early polarimetry and late-time broadband
imaging
will further test physical models of the relativistic blast wave that
produces
the bright GRB afterglow, and will provide unique insight into the
influence of
the GRB environment on the afterglow.
ACS 9463
Are OH/IR stars the youngest post-AGB stars? An ACS SNAPshot imaging
survey
Essentially all well-characterized preplanetary nebulae {PPNs}– objects
in
transition between the AGB and planetary nebula evolutionary phases – are
bipolar, whereas the mass-loss envelopes of AGB stars are strikingly
spherical.
In order to understand the processes leading to bipolar mass-ejection, we
need
to know at what stage of stellar evolution does bipolarity in the
mass-loss
first manifest itself? We have recently hypothesized that most OH/IR
stars
{evolved mass- losing stars with OH maser emission} are very young PPNe.
We
propose an ACS/SNAPshot imaging survey of a large, morphologically
unbiased
sample of these objects, selected using their IRAS 12-to-25micron colors.
Our
ground-based imaging study of OH/IR stars has revealed a few compact
bipolar
objects, supporting our hypothesis. However since most objects remain
unresolved, HST observations are needed to determine how and when the
bipolar
geometry asserts itself. Our complementary program of interferometric
mapping of
the OH maser emission in our sources is yielding kinematic information
with
spatial resolution comparable to that in the HST images. The HST/radio
data
will
provide crucial input for theories of post-AGB stellar evolution. In
addition,
these data will also indicate whether the multiple concentric rings,
“searchlight beams”, and truncated equatorial disks recently discovered
with
HST in a few PPNs, are common or rare phenomena.
ACS 9468
ACS Grism Parallel Survey of Emission- line Galaxies at Redshift z pl 7
We propose an ACS grism parallel survey to search for emission-line
galaxies
toward 50 random lines of sight over the redshift interval 0 < z pl 7. We
request
ACS parallel observations of duration more than one orbit at high
galactic
latitude to
identify ~ 300 HAlpha emission-line galaxies at 0.2 pl z pl 0.5, ~ 720 O
IILambda3727 emission-line galaxies at 0.3 pl z pl 1.68, and pg 1000
Ly-alpha
emission-line galaxies at 3 pl z pl 7 with total emission line flux f pg
2*
10^-17 ergs s^-1 cm^-2 over 578 arcmin^2. We will obtain direct images
with the
F814W and F606W filters and dispersed images with the WFC/G800L grism at
each
position. The direct images will serve to provide a zeroth order model
both for
wavelength calibration of the extracted 1D spectra and for determining
extraction apertures of the corresponding dispersed images. The primary
scientific objectives are as follows: {1} We will establish a uniform
sample of
HAlpha and O II emission-line galaxies at z<1.7 in order to obtain
accurate
measurements of co-moving star formation rate density versus redshift
over this
redshift range. {2} We will study the spatial and statistical
distribution of
star formation rate intensity in individual galaxies using the spatially
resolved emission-line morphology in the grism images. And {3} we will
study
high-redshift universe using Ly-alpha emitting galaxies identified at z
pl
7 in
the survey. The data will be available to the community immediately as
they are
obtained.
ACS 9472
A Snapshot Survey for Gravitational Lenses among z >= 4.0 Quasars
Over the last few years, the Sloan Digital Sky Survey has revolutionized
the
study of high-redshift quasars by discovering over 200 objects with
redshift
greater than 4.0, more than doubling the number known in this redshift
interval.
The sample includes eight of the ten highest redshift quasars known. We
propose
a snapshot imaging survey of a well-defined sample of 250 z > 4.0 quasars
in
order to find objects which are gravitationally lensed. Lensing models
including
magnification bias predict that at least 4% of quasars in a flux-limited
sample
at z > 4 will be multiply lensed. Therefore this survey should find of
order 10
lensed quasars at high redshift; only one gravitationally lensed quasar
is
currently known at z > 4. This survey will provide by far the best sample
to
date of high-redshift gravitational lenses. The observed fraction of
lenses can
put strong constraints on cosmological models, in particular on the
cosmological
constant Lambda. In addition, magnification bias can significantly bias
estimates of the luminosity function of quasars and the evolution
thereof; this
work will constrain how important an effect this is, and thereby give us
a
better understanding of the evolution of quasars and black holes at early
epochs, as well as constrain models for black hole formation.
WFPC2 9592
WFPC2 CYCLE 11 Standard Darks
This dark calibration program obtains dark frames every week in order to
provide
data for the ongoing calibration of the CCD dark current rate, and to
monitor
and characterize the evolution of hot pixels. Over an extended period
these
data
will also provide a monitor of radiation damage to the CCDs.
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
WFPC2 9596
WFPC2 CYCLE 11 INTERNAL MONITOR
This calibration proposal is the Cycle 11 routine internal monitor for
WFPC2, to
be run weekly to monitor the health of the cameras. A variety of internal
exposures are obtained in order to provide a monitor of the integrity of
the CCD
camera electronics in both bays {gain 7 and gain 15}, a test for quantum
efficiency in the CCDs, and a monitor for possible buildup of
contaminants on
the CCD windows.
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.
ACS 9657
ACS Internal Flat Field Stability
The flat field stability and characterization obtained during the ground
calibration and SMOV phases will be tested and verified through a
sub-sample of
the filter set. Only internal exposures with the calibration lamps will
be
required.
ACS 9674
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.
NICMOS 9702
NICMOS Parallel Thermal Background
NICMOS Camera 2 pure parallel exposures in the F222M and F237M filters to
establish the stability of the HST+NCS+Instrument thermal emission. This
data
will be compared against the already available Camera 3 measurements in
F222M
which show an increased thermal background.
WFPC2 9709
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.
WFPC2 9710
POMS Test Proposal: WFII backup parallel archive proposal
This is a POMS test proposal designed to simulate scientific plans.
FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUMMARY:
Significant Spacecraft Anomalies: (The following are preliminary reports
of
potential non-nominal performance that will be investigated.)
COMPLETED OPS REQs: None
OPS NOTES EXECUTED:
1108-2 Perform Observation Re-Dumps on the Partial Obs. Level
@ 132/2006z, 132/2007z, 133/0016z, 133/0020z
1111-0 Change Limits MAMA1 Threshold Voltage @ 133/0304z
SCHEDULED SUCCESSFUL FAILURE TIMES
FGS
GSacq 07 07
FGS REacq 09 09
FHST Update 14 14
LOSS of LOCK
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS:
Battery 2 capacity, as measured in 5/7/03 Capacity Test, was 58.86 Ah.
Capacity estimate from pre SM-3B was 40.2 Ah. Battery 2 was last tested
in November 1998 with a capacity of 70.6 Ah.
