Status Report

NASA Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report # 3511

By SpaceRef Editor

December 19, 2003

Filed under Hubble Space Telescope, Space Telescope Science Institute, US

HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE

DAILY REPORT # 3511

PERIOD COVERED: DOY 350

OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED

ACS 9984

Cosmic Shear With ACS Pure Parallels

Small distortions in the shapes of background galaxies by foreground mass
provide a powerful method of directly measuring the amount and distribution of
dark matter. Several groups have recently detected this weak lensing by
large-scale structure, also called cosmic shear. The high resolution and
sensitivity of HST/ACS provide a unique opportunity to measure cosmic shear
accurately on small scales. Using 260 parallel orbits in Sloan textiti {F775W}
we will measure for the first time: beginlistosetlength sep0cm
setlengthemsep0cm
setlength opsep0cm em the cosmic shear variance on scales <0.7 arcmin, em the skewness of the shear distribution, and em the magnification effect. endlist Our measurements will determine the amplitude of the mass power spectrum sigma_8Omega_m^0.5, with signal-to-noise {s/n} ~ 20, and the mass density Omega_m with s/n=4. They will be done at small angular scales where non-linear effects dominate the power spectrum, providing a test of the gravitational instability paradigm for structure formation. Measurements on these scales are not possible from the ground, because of the systematic effects induced by PSF smearing from seeing. Having many independent lines of sight reduces the uncertainty due to cosmic variance, making parallel observations ideal.

ACS/CCD/WFC 9978

The Ultra Deep Field with ACS

The ACS Ultra Deep Field {UDF} is a survey carried out by using Director’s
Discretionary time. The main science driver are galaxy evolution and cosmology.
The primary instrument is the Advanced Camera for Surveys but WFPC2 and NICMOS
will also be used in parallel. The data will be made public. The UDF
consists of
a single ultra-deep field {410 orbits in total} within the CDF-S GOODS
area. The
survey will use four filters: F435W {55 orbits}, F606W {55 orbits}, F775W {150
orbits}, and F850LP {150 orbits}. The F435W {B} and F606W {V} exposures will be
one magnitude deeper than the equivalent HDF filters. The F775W {I} exposure
will be 1.5 magnitude deeper than the equivalent HDF exposure. The depth in
F775W and F850LP is optimized for searching very red objects – like z=6
galaxies
– at the detection limit of the F850LP image. The pointing will be RA{J2000}=3
32 40.0 and Decl.{J2000}=-27 48 00. These coordinates may change slightly
due to
guide star availability and implementation issues. We will attempt to
include in
the field both a spectroscopically confirmed z=5.8 galaxy and a
spectroscopically confirmed type Ia SN at z=1.3. The pointing avoids the gaps
with the lowest effective exposure on the Chandra ACIS image of CDFS. This
basic
structure of the survey represents a consensus recommendation of a Scientific
Advisory Committee to the STScI Director Steven Beckwith. A local Working Group
is looking in detail at the implementation of the survey.

ACS/HRC/WFC 10042

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.

ACS/WFC 10086

The Ultra Deep Field with ACS

ACS/WFC 9765

The Dusty ISM Substructure in Nearby Spiral Galaxies

We propose an ACS V&I imaging snapshot survey of all nearby edge-on spiral
galaxies in order to measure the small scale structures in their dust
extinction
down to the 10pc scale. Dust and molecular gas are tightly coupled and
therefore HST high resolution reddening maps can reveal information about the
cold ISM phase on a scale inaccessible from the groundby any other means. We
have recently discovered a sudden change in dust lane properties using
ground-based data; all galaxies with rotation speeds in access of 120km/s show
dust lanes, but none of the slower rotators does. This transition may be caused
by a sudden change in the state of the multiphase ISM, and HST resolution
imaging is needed to fully quantify this effect. Analysis will consist of full
radiative transfer modeling of dust extinction with realistic, fractal like
substructure and power spectrum analysis of the structure from the global
to the
10pc scale. By observing a sample of galaxies with a range in structural
parameters we can quantify how the cold ISM structure changes as function of
radius, rotation speed, local surface density, et cetera. This information is
duly needed with SIRTF soon providing a wealth of information on dust
absorption, but lacking the resolution to determine the small scale
distribution
of the dust.

ACS/WFC 9788

A Narrow-band Snapshot Survey of Nearby Galaxies

We propose to use ACS/WFC to conduct the first comprehensive HST narrow-band
{H-alpha + [N II]} imaging survey of the central regions of nearby
bulge-dominated disk {S0 to Sbc} galaxies. This survey will cover, at high
angular resolution extending over a large field, an unprecedented number of
galaxies representing many different environments. It will have important
applications for many astrophysical problems of current interest, and it
will be
an invaluable addition to the HST legacy. The observations will be conducted in
snapshot mode, drawing targets from a complete sample of 145 galaxies selected
from the Palomar spectroscopic survey of nearby galaxies. Our group will
use the
data for two primary applications. First, we will search for nuclear
emission-line disks suitable for future kinematic measurements with STIS, in
order to better constrain the recently discovered relations between black hole
mass and bulge properties. Preliminary imaging of the type proposed here
must be
done, sooner or later, if we are to make progress in this exciting new field.
Second, we will investigate a number of issues related to extragalactic star
formation. Specifically, we will systematically characterize the properties
of H
II regions and super star clusters on all galactic scales, from circumnuclear
regions to the large-scale disk.

ACS/WFC 9860

ESSENCE: Measuring the Dark Energy Equation of State

The accelerating universe appears to be dominated by a dark energy with a
significant negative pressure. The ratio of the pressure to density of this
mysterious energy {its equation of state} is an observable which can
differentiate between the proliferating candidate theories. We propose to
estimate the dark energy equation of state by observing Type Ia supernovae at
redshifts near z=0.7 with HST in concert with the on-going ESSENCE NOAO Survey
program that is discovering and studying supernovae between 0.3

NIC/NIC3 9865

The NICMOS Parallel Observing Program

We propose to continue managing the NICMOS pure parallel program. Based on our
experience, we are well prepared to make optimal use of the parallel
opportunities. The improved sensitivity and efficiency of our observations will
substantially increase the number of line-emitting galaxies detected. As our
previous work has demonstrated, the most frequently detected line is Halpha at
0.7

NIC3 9979

The Ultra Deep Field – NICMOS Parallels

This is a plan to manage the NICMOS pure parallels of the ACS Ultra Deep
Survey.
We will obtain a mix of F110W and F160W images along sight-lines within the
mosaiced ACS fields of the CDF-S GOODS and GEMS surveys, with these sight-lines
enabling an examination of the space density and morphologies of the reddest
galaxies.

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 10000

STIS Pure Parallel Imaging Program: Cycle 12

This is the default archival pure parallel program for STIS during cycle 12.

STIS/CCD 10017

CCD Dark Monitor-Part 1

Monitor the darks for the STIS CCD.

STIS/CCD 10019

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/CCD 9981

The Ultra Deep Field – STIS parallels

We propose to obtain slitless spectroscopy of objects in the GEMS and GOODS
area
around the UDF.

STIS/MA1 10034

Cycle 12 MAMA Dark Monitor

This test performs the routine monitoring of the MAMA detector dark noise. This
proposal will provide the primary means of checking on health of the MAMA
detectors systems through frequent monitoring of the background count rate. The
purpose is to look for evidence of change in dark indicative of detector
problem
developing.

WFPC2 10069

WFPC2 CYCLE 12 Supplemental Darks, Part 1/3

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

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 9712

Pure Parallel Near-UV Observations with WFPC2 within High-Latitude ACS Survey
Fields

In anticipation of the allocation of ACS high-latitude imaging survey{s}, we
request a modification of the default pure parallel program for those WFPC2
parallels that fall within the ACS survey field. Rather than duplicate the red
bands which will be done much better with ACS, we propose to observe in the
near-ultraviolet F300W filter. These data will enable study of the rest-frame
ultraviolet morphology of galaxies at 0

WFPC2 9980

The Ultra Deep Field – WFPC2 Parallels

The ACS Ultra Deep Field {UDF} is a survey carried out by using Director’s
Discretionary time. The main science drivers are galaxy evolution and
cosmology.
The primary instrument is the Advanced Camera for Surveys but WFPC2,
NICMOS, and
STIS will also be used in pure parallel mode. The data will be made public. The
UDF consists of a single ultra-deep field {410 orbits in total} within the
CDF-S
GOODS area. We request a modification of the default pure parallel programs.
Rather than duplicate the redder bands which will be done much better with ACS,
we propose to observe in the near-ultraviolet F300W filter. These data will
enable study of the rest-frame ultraviolet morphology of galaxies at 0

FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUMMARY:

Significant Spacecraft Anomalies: (The following are preliminary reports of
potential non-nominal performance that will be investigated.)

HSTAR 9243: GS Re-acquisition (1,2,1) @ 351/01:28:20Z failed to Gyro Hold.
QDVEFGS1 flagged OOL red low (-368.578). Both FGSs
reached FL
before going to Gyro Hold. Under investigation.

COMPLETED OPS REQs:
17071-0 Perform FAD @ 351/0544z
17068-0 FGS-2R TRT Trending Test @ 351/061402z

OPS NOTES EXECUTED:
1179-0 Download Table load for FGS TRT Trending Test @ 350/1605z

                            SCHEDULED     SUCCESSFUL    FAILURE TIMES
FGS GSacq                05                        05
FGS REacq                07                        06              Hstar # 9243
FHST Update              08                        08
LOSS of LOCK

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS:

Successfully completed FGS-2R Transient Rate Trending on-orbit test,
351/04:05Z -06:12Z
(OR 17068 with attached script). The MACRO executed, as expected, and the
following GS
acquisition @ 351/07:25Z was successful. A very preliminary look at the
data showed
the timing of the slews (and more importantly the duration of the zero rate
intervals)
were more than sufficient for the transitions that were observed. The data
will be
analyzed in detail in the upcoming weeks (a sneak preview will be presented
at the
SE Briefing on 12/18/0). This test will most likely be run again in January
2004.

SpaceRef Editor

SpaceRef staff editor.

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