NASA Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report #4083
HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE – Continuing to collect World Class Science
DAILY REPORT #4083
PERIOD COVERED: UT March 31,32,33, 2006 (DOY 090,091,092)
OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED
NIC1/NIC2/NIC3 8793
NICMOS Post-SAA calibration – CR Persistence Part 4
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 10775
An ACS Survey of Galactic Globular Clusters
We propose to conduct an ACS/WFC imaging survey of Galactic globular clusters. We will construct the most extensive and deepest set of photometry and astrometry to-date for these systems reaching a main sequence mass of ~0.2 solar mass with S/N >= 10. We will combine these data with archival WFPC2 and STIS images to determine proper motions for the stars in our fields. The resultant cleaned cluster CMDs will allow us to study a variety of scientific questions. These include [but are not limited to] 1} the determination of cluster ages and distances 2} the construction of main sequence mass functions and the issue of mass segregation 3} the internal motions and dynamical evolution of globular clusters, and 4} absolute cluster motions, orbits, and the Milky Way gravitational potential. We anticipate that the unique resource provided by the proposed treasury archive will play a central role in the field of globular cluster studies for decades, with a stature comparable to that of the Hubble Deep Field for high redshift studies.
ACS/HRC/WFC 10758
ACS CCDs daily monitor
This program consists of a set of basic tests to monitor, the read noise, the development of hot pixels and test for any source of noise in ACS CCD detectors. The files, biases and dark will be used to create reference files for science calibration. This programme will be for the entire lifetime of ACS. Changes from cycle 13:- The default gain for WFC is 2 e-/DN. As before bias frames will be collected for both gain 1 and gain 2. Dark frames are acquired using the default gain {2}. This program cover the period May, 31 2006- Oct, 1-2006. The first half of the program has a different proposal number: 10729.
ACS/HRC 10738
Earth Flats
Sky flats will be obtained by observing the bright Earth with the HRC and WFC. These observations will be used to verify the accuracy of the flats currently in the pipeline and to monitor any changes. Weekly coronagraphic monitoring is required to assess the changing position of the spots.
ACS/SBC 10736
ACS UV contamination monitor
The observations consist of imaging and spectroscopy with SBC and HRC of the cluster NGC 6681 in order to monitor the temporal evolution of the UV sensitivity of the SBC and the HRC. All UV modes except for SBC PR130L will be used.
ACS/WFC 10622
ACS Photometric Calibration from Faint Standards
When calibrating photometry, the typical approach is to use short exposures of bright standard stars to calibrate long exposures of faint scientific targets. This is fine for most ground-based telescopes, whose detectors are linear, but presents difficulties when calibrating HST. The resulting HST calibrations are thus extremely sensitive to the accuracy of linearity corrections such as that for CTE loss. We propose a more robust calibration of ACS/WFC using our photometric sequences in Pal 4 and Pal 14 {Saha et al. 2005}. These sequences include stars with 10% photometry down to V=24.2 and I=23.4, a brightness comparable to that of many HST science targets. We believe these data will allow us to determine a complete set of transformations accurate to 1% and relatively insensitive to errors in the CTE correction.
FGS 10610
Astrometric Masses of Extrasolar Planets and Brown Dwarfs
We propose observations with HST/FGS to estimate the astrometric elements {perturbation orbit semi-major axis and inclination} of extra-solar planets orbiting six stars. These companions were originally detected by radial velocity techniques. We have demonstrated that FGS astrometry of even a short segment of reflex motion, when combined with extensive radial velocity information, can yield useful inclination information {McArthur et al. 2004}, allowing us to determine companion masses. Extrasolar planet masses assist in two ongoing research frontiers. First, they provide useful boundary conditions for models of planetary formation and evolution of planetary systems. Second, knowing that a star in fact has a plantary mass companion, increases the value of that system to future extrasolar planet observation missions such as SIM PlanetQuest, TPF, and GAIA.
ACS/WFC 10596
AGNs with Intermediate-mass Black Holes: A Test of the Black Hole-Bulge Paradigm
The recent progress in the study of central black holes in galactic nuclei has led to a general consensus that supermassive {10^6-10^9 solar mass} black holes are closely connected with the formation and evolutionary history of large galaxies, especially their bulge component. Two outstanding issues, however, remain unresolved. Can central black holes form in the absence of a bulge? And does the mass function of central black holes extend below 10^6 solar masses? Intermediate-mass black holes {10^4-10^6 solar masses}, if they exist, may offer important clues to the nature of the seeds of supermassive black holes. In a first systematic search using the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, we have recently discovered 19 Type 1 AGNs with candidate intermediate-mass black holes that reside in low-luminosity, presumably late-type host galaxies. Follow-up observations with Keck indicate that these objects obey the low-mass extension of the well-known correlation between black hole mass and bulge stellar velocity dispersion. However, very little is known about the host galaxies themselves, including the crucial question of whether they have bulges or not. We propose to obtain ACS/WFC images of this unique sample of AGNs in order to investigate the detailed structural properties of the host galaxies. We are particularly keen to determine whether the hosts contain bulges, and if so, where they lie on the fundamental plane of spheroids compared to the bulges of supermassive black holes. We will also be able to measure an accurate optical luminosity for the AGN, which is an essential ingredient to improve the current mass estimates.
ACS/WFC 10592
An ACS Survey of a Complete Sample of Luminous Infrared Galaxies in the Local Universe
At luminosities above 10^11.4 L_sun, the space density of far-infrared selected galaxies exceeds that of optically selected galaxies. These `luminous infrared galaxies’ {LIRGs} are primarily interacting or merging disk galaxies undergoing enhanced star formation and Active Galactic Nuclei {AGN} activity, possibly triggered as the objects transform into massive S0 and elliptical merger remnants. We propose ACS/WFC imaging of a complete sample of 88 L_IR > 10^11.4 L_sun luminous infrared galaxies in the IRAS Revised Bright Galaxy Sample {RBGS: i.e., 60 micron flux density > 5.24 Jy}. This sample is ideal not only in its completeness and sample size, but also in the proximity and brightness of the galaxies. The superb sensitivity, resolution, and field of view of ACS/WFC on HST enables a unique opportunity to study the detailed structure of galaxies that sample all stages of the merger process. Imaging will be done with the F439W and F814W filters {B and I-band} to examine as a function of both luminosity and merger state {i} the evidence at optical wavelengths of star formation and AGN activity and the manner in which instabilities {bars and bridges} in the galaxies may funnel material to these active regions, {ii} the relationship between star formation and AGN activity, and {iii} the structural properties {AGN, bulge, and disk components} and fundamental parameters {effective radius and surface brightness} of LIRGs and their similarity with putative evolutionary byproducts {elliptical, S0 and classical AGN host galaxies}. This HST survey will also bridge the wavelength gap between a Spitzer imaging survey {covering seven bands in the 3.6-160 micron range} and a GALEX UV imaging survey of these galaxies, but will resolve complexes of star clusters and multiple nuclei at resolutions well beyond the capabilities of either Spitzer or GALEX. The combined datasets will result in the most comprehensive multiwavelength study of interacting and merging galaxies to date.
ACS/WFC 10591
ACS Observations of the Galaxies in A Giant Ly-alpha Nebula at z~2.7
Giant Ly-alpha nebulae appear to be sites of ongoing massive galaxy formation, as evidenced by their association with very luminous, young, star-forming galaxies and large galaxy overdensities. However the origin of the extended gas and the source of ionization remain mysterious. We have discovered a ~200 kpc size nebula which appears to contain a number of embedded sources, including a very obscured, luminous mid-infrared source and a Lyman break galaxy. We propose to obtain deep ACS and NICMOS images of this nebula in order to: {i} determine the spatial morphology of the Ly-alpha emission on sub-kpc scales; {ii} precisely locate the known continuum sources within the nebula; {ii} determine their morphologies; {iii} detect the source of ionizing photons at the very center of the nebula; {iv} constrain the ionizing luminosity contributed by a possible distributed population of faint, compact continuum sources in the nebula; and {v} by SED fitting of population synthesis models, constrain the ages of the ionizing sources with the aim of determining the timescale of the galaxy formation process in the nebula.
ACS/HRC/WFC 10575
Lyman alpha morphology of local starburst galaxies
Our pilot imaging study of 6 local galaxies using ACS/SBC in the cosmologically important Lyman- alpha line has begun to reveal intriguing results. Here we propse ACS/HRC imaging of this sample, the approval of the which will allow for a significant increase in the impact of the original study and extend the limits of current understanding of Lyman-alpha escape. With this data we can accurately calibrate our Lyman-alpha line-only images and explore for the first time Lyman- alpha fluxes and equivalent widths in spatially resolved systems. These data would also allow us to test the current models of Lyman-alpha escape mechanisms and investigate possible correlations between Lyman-alpha emission and other local parameters such as age and internal reddening. The addition of high-resolution H-alpha data allows us to quantitatively study the decoupling of Lyman-alpha from non-resonant radiation and spatially explore the destruction and attenuation of Lyman-alpha. The study will go a long way towards resolving the outstanding issues complicating the interpretation of high redshift studies and the use of Lyman-alpha to quantitatively study the distant universe.
ACS/HRC 10525
Characterizing the Near-UV Environment of M Dwarfs: Implications for Extrasolar Planetary Searches and Astrobiology
We propose SNAP observations with the ACS HRC PR200L prism, designed to measure the near ultraviolet emission in a sample of 107 nearby M dwarfs. The sample spans the mass range from 0.1 – 0.6 solar masses {temperature range 2200K – 4000K} where the UV energy distributions vary widely between active and inactive stars. The strength and distribution of this UV emission can have critical consequences for the atmospheres of attendant planets. Our proposed observations will provide desperately needed constraints on models of the habitability zone and the atmospheres of possible terrestrial planets orbiting M dwarf hosts, and will be used to sharpen TPF target selection. In addition, the NUV data will be used in conjunction with existing optical, FUV and X-ray data to constrain a new generation of M dwarf atmospheric models, and to explore unanswered questions regarding the dynamo generation and magnetic heating in these low-mass stars.
ACS/WFC 10524
Blue Stragglers: a key stellar population to probe internal cluster dynamics
This proposal is part of a coordinated project devoted to understand the interplay of globular cluster {GC} dynamics and the formation and evolution of blue straggler stars {BSS}. By using a combination of HST and ground-based observations we are constructing complete BSS surveys in a sample of GCs; complete BSS surveys require mid-UV HST observations in the center and wide field CCD ground based observations under excellent seeing conditions of the exterior. Up to now only four clusters have been surveyed in this way and the results are surprising: in three GCs {M3, 47 Tuc, NGC 6752} we have discovered that the BSS radial distribution is bimodal, highly peaked in the cluster center, rapidly decreasing at intermediate radii and rising again at large radii {Ferraro et al. 1997, 2004, Sabbi et al. 2004}, conversely BSS population in Omega Centauri does not show any signature of the segregation which would be expected for a class of objects arising from either stellar interactions or binarity {Ferraro et al. 2005}. These observational facts are opening a new prospective in the study of the formation processes and evolution of BSS in GCs. By using extensive simulations, we demonstrated that the spatial distribution of BSS observed in 47 Tuc can be only reproduced if a sizable fraction of BSS is generated {via mass transfer in primordial binaries} in the peripheral region of the cluster {Mapelli et al 2004}, thus excluding a purely collisional formation scenario. Here we propose mid-UV imaging of a few clusters suspected of harboring a large population of central BSS and a few known to have many BSS the external region. These are good candidates for determining accurate BSS radial distributions. The modest amount of time proposed here will go far to determine the ubiquity of BSS bimodality and to constrain models of dynamical evolution. Since we believe the proposed observations would be useful to the entire stellar community {for multifold purposes} we waive the propretary period.
NIC3/ACS/WFC 10504
Characterizing the Sources Responsible for Cosmic Reionization
Our group has demonstrated the role that massive clusters, acting as powerful cosmic lenses, can play in constraining the abundance and properties of low-luminosity star-forming sources beyond z~6; such sources are thought to be responsible for ending cosmic reionization. The large magnification possible in the critical regions of well-constrained clusters brings sources into view that lie at or beyond the limits of conventional exposures such as the UDF, as well as those in imaging surveys being undertaken with IRAC onboard Spitzer. We have shown that the combination of HST and Spitzer is particularly effective in delivering the physical properties of these distant sources, constraining their mass, age and past star formation history. Indirectly, we therefore gain a valuable glimpse to yet earlier epochs. Recognizing the result {and limitations} of the UDF exposure, we propose a systematic search through 6 lensing clusters with ACS and NICMOS for further z~6-7 sources in conjunction with existing deep IRAC data. Our survey will mitigate cosmic variance and extend the search both to lower luminosities and, by virtue of the NICMOS/IRAC combination, to higher redshift. The goal is to count and characterize representative sources at z~6-10 and to delineate the redshift range of activity for the planning of future observations.
WFPC2 10501
Extending the Heritage: Clusters, Dust, and Star Formation in M51
Strongly interacting systems in the Local Universe offer the opportunity to investigate the modality of star formation under dynamical conditions more typical of the intermediate redshift Universe {z~0.5-1}, at an exquisite resolution unmatched by distant galaxies. M51 is one such system. Most recently, the Hubble Heritage program dedicated 24 HST orbits to obtain a 3X2 ACS mosaic of M51 in BVI, and Halpha. While this is designed to produce a lovely multi-color image of this photogenic target, its scientific return will be limited for star formation studies. Hence we propose to augment these observations by obtaining WFPC2 U band and NICMOS H band primary imaging {with NICMOS Paschen alpha in parallel} of selected pointings of this interacting galaxy system. At the modest cost of 14 additional orbits, we will: {1} accurately determine the ages of the young star cluster population; {2} secure the identification of 60-70 old globular clusters; {3} search for heavily dust enshrouded stellar clusters; {4} investigate the distribution of the cluster populations as a function of location {galactocentric, arms, interarms, etc.}; and {5} both remove the effects of dust and determine its properties. In addition to our specific science goals, these observations lend themselves, on their own or in synergy with data from GALEX and Spitzer, to a host of other investigations, including those on evolved diffuse stellar populations, galactic structure, and dust radiative transfer. We will thus release these data early to the community, by relinquishing part of the proprietary period.
ACS/WFC 10497
Cepheid Calibrations of the Luminosity of Two Reliable Type Ia Supernovae and a Re- determination of the Hubble Constant
We propose to determine the luminosity of two type Ia supernovae {SNe Ia}, 1995al in NGC 3021 and SN 2002fk in NGC 1309, by observing Cepheids in their spiral hosts. Modern CCD photometry yields an extremely tight Hubble diagram for SNe Ia with a precisely determined intercept {i.e., Delta H_0/H_0}. Yet, the measurement of the true Hubble constant via SNe Ia is limited by the calibration derived from problematic and unreliable SN data. Most of the SNe Ia calibrated by HST to date are significantly compromised by the systematics of photographic photometry, high reddening and SN peculiarity, and by the photometric anomolies associated with WFPC2. The extended reach of ACS now provides opportunities to more reliably calibrate SNe Ia and H_0. Our Cepheid calibration of a reliable SN Ia dataset, SN 1994ae, using ACS in Cycle 11 resulted in a 15% increase in H_0 from the value derived by the HST SN Ia Calibration Program. Yet, there remains a terribly small sample of reliable SN Ia data sets on which to base such a crucial cosmological result. SN 1995al and SN 2002fk are two of the best observed SNe Ia both with little reddening. They provide two opportunities to use ACS for placing the calibration of H_0 via SN Ia on firmer footing and potentially improve its precision.
ACS/WFC 10496
Decelerating and Dustfree: Efficient Dark Energy Studies with Supernovae and Clusters
We propose a novel HST approach to obtain a dramatically more useful “dust free” Type Ia supernovae {SNe Ia} dataset than available with the previous GOODS searches. Moreover, this approach provides a strikingly more efficient search-and-follow-up that is primarily pre- scheduled. The resulting dark energy measurements do not share the major systematic uncertainty at these redshifts, that of the extinction correction with a prior. By targeting massive galaxy clusters at z > 1 we obtain a five-times higher efficiency in detection of Type Ia supernovae in ellipticals, providing a well-understood host galaxy environment. These same deep cluster images then also yield fundamental calibrations required for future weak lensing and Sunyaev-Zel’dovich measurements of dark energy, as well as an entire program of cluster studies. The data will make possible a factor of two improvement on supernova constraints on dark energy time variation, and much larger improvement in systematic uncertainty. They will provide both a cluster dataset and a SN Ia dataset that will be a longstanding scientific resource.
ACS/HRC/WFC 10487
A Search for Debris Disks in the Coeval Beta Pictoris Moving Group
Resolved observations of debris disks present us with the opportunity of studying planetary evolution in other solar systems. We propose to search for debris disks in the Beta Pictoris moving group {8-20 Myrs, 10-50 pc away} , which provides a coeval sample of multiple spectral types, and it has already produced two magnificent resolved debris disks: AU Mic and Beta Pic. Such coeval sample will provide us with a snapshop of the crucial time in disk evolution in which the disk makes the transition from optically thick to optically thin, and it will be useful to study the stellar mass dependence of the disk evolution.
FGS 10478
Dynamical Masses and Radii of Four White Dwarf Stars
The cool white dwarf stars WD1639+153 and WD1818+126 were recently resolved by HST FGS1r to be double degenerate binary systems with projected separations of 112 mas and 174 mas respectively. At a distance of less than 50 pc they may both have periods shorter than about 20 years, making them ideal candidates for follow up studies for dynamical mass determinations. This will increase the number of white dwarfs with dynamical mass measurements from the current 4 up to 8. Continued observations of these white dwarfs along with nearby field stars with the FGS will accuractely determine the orbital elements and parallax of each system. The mass and radius of all four white dwarfs can be determined to an unprecedented 1%, making it possible to test and calibrate the theoretical white dwarf mass radius relation at the cool end of the cooling curve for the DA and DC subclasses. Since the components of the binary are coeval, once the mass and radius, and hence the cooling age of each star is known, it will be possible to estimate the relation between the initial mass and final mass for all four white dwarfs. We are requesting a total of 4 HST orbits per year for the next three cycles to initiate the process that will result in a determination of the mass and radius of the four white dwarfs.
ACS/WFC 10166
ACS and WFPC2 Stellar Photometry in the Kepler Mission Target Field
We will observe three regions at the Galactic Equator {GE} to determine the number of stars in the magnitude range from 18 to 25 in the target field of the NASA Kepler mission. This mission will search for Earth-size planets orbiting other stars. The field is a twelve by twelve degree square in Cygnus. It abuts the GE. The detection technique is to search photometrically for planetary transits. Faint eclipsing binaries that are not spatially resolved from the target star by Kepler may cause confusion, leading to false positive detections. The HST is uniquely capable of determining the potential magnitude of the issue in the region of the GE, where stellar densities are extremely high.
FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUMMARY:
Significant Spacecraft Anomalies: (The following are preliminary reports of potential non-nominal performance that will be investigated.)
HSTARS:
10189 – GSacq(2,1,1) failed due to search radius limit exceeded @ 090/18:27:08z
During LOS the GSacq(2,1,1) scheduled at 09/18:27:08 failed due to search radius limit exceeded on FGS 2. The Map at 18:34:28 showed errors of V1= 5.15, V2=-193.17, V3=193.70.
10190 – GSacq(2,1,2) resulted in fine lock backup @ 091/12:48:58z
GSacq(2,1,2) scheduled at 091/12:11:38 went to fine lock backup using FGS 1 at 12:14:58 due to scan step limit exceeded on FGS 2. The subsequent REacaqs at 13:41:08 and 16:52:59 also resulted in fine lock backup (1,0,1). The REacq at 16:52:59 was successful. Correction REacq at 15:17:03 resulted in fine lock backup (1,0,1). REacq at 16:52:59 was successful.
10191 – During LOS, OBAD Failed and GSacq(2,1,2) was not attempted @ 091/18:24:28z
During LOS OBAD1 scheduled at 091/18:20:58 failed. A ESB 1902 (OBAD Failed ID) was received at 18:24:28. There were no indication that OBAD2 failed but the GSacq(2,1,2) scheduled at 18:36:37 was not attempted.
10192 – REacq(2,1,2) results in fine lock backup @ 091/20:14:06z
The REacq(2,1,2) scheduled at 09/20:10:30 resulted in finelock backup (1,01) due to scan step limit exceeded on FGS2. OBAD 2 showed errors of V1= -0.58, V2= 0.26, V3= -10.24, RSS =10.26. The Map at 20:17:31 showed errors of V1=-0.39, V2=-8.81, V3=-9.23, RSS= 12.77.
10193 – SAVED FGS ERROR NULL BIAS (QSFGENB0) @ 092/13:40:23z
At 092/13:40:23 the Saved FGS error null bias (QSFGENB0) flagged out of limits with a value of -1139.828 a-s. The GSacq(2,1,2) at 092/13:35:52 was successful.
COMPLETED OPS REQUEST:
17680-0 – Patch ACS Suspend Sequence RTCS @ 090/15:55z
17678-0 – Uplink Vehicle Inertia Matrix & T2g Control Law Gains @ 093/00:36z
17679-0 – TGS CT Reduction Acq Logic Install @ 093/00:36z
COMPLETED OPS NOTES: (None)
SCHEDULED SUCCESSFUL FAILURE TIMES
FGS GSacq 28 26 Hstar #
10189&10191
FGS REacq 14 14
OBAD with Maneuver 84 83 Hstar #
10191
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS:
ACS Flash Report:
The ACS Suspend Sequence last command Delta Time was successfully patched via OPS Request 17680 at 090/15:56. The patch was put in place as an “operational work around” to ensure nested RTCS are prevented from processing further commands if ACS were to suspend.
