HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE - Continuing to collect World Class
Science
DAILY REPORT #4672
PERIOD COVERED: 5am August 11 - 5am August 12, 2008 (DOY
224/0900z-225/0900z)
OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED
NIC1 11117
The Search for Atmospheric Water in the Transiting Planet
HD189733b
We propose to use the NICMOS camera to search for transit
NIR signatures
of atmospheric water in HD189733b. While water absorption
bands exist in
the optical and IR, space-based NIR signatures are
uniquely positioned
to offer the best chance at detection. Using narrow band
photometric
filters, we will be able to detect absorption signatures
while the
planet is in primary transit. A positive detection would
be the first
proof of water on an extrasolar planet. Furthermore, it
would provide
invaluable planetary information, constraining the entire
chemistry. As
a byproduct of the high SNR required for our primary
science goal, we
will be able to improve on the value of the planetary radius,
a result
independent of our primary science objective. The accurate
radius
estimate, together with planet structure models, will
allow constraining
the planet interior and its relationship with formation
models and
stellar metallicity.
NIC1/NIC2/NIC3 11330
NICMOS Cycle 16 Extended Dark
This takes a series of Darks in parallel to other
instruments.
NIC1/NIC2/NIC3 8795
NICMOS Post-SAA Calibration - CR Persistence Part 6
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 i
mages. Each observation will need its own CRMAP, as
different SAA
passages leave different imprints on the NICMOS detectors.
NIC2 11548
NICMOS Imaging of Protostars in the Orion A Cloud: The
Role of
Environment in Star Formation
We propose NICMOS observations of a sample of 252
protostars identified
in the Orion A cloud with the Spitzer Space Telescope.
These
observations will image the scattered light escaping the
protostellar
envelopes, providing information on the shapes of outflow
cavities, the
inclinations of the protostars, and the overall
morphologies of the
envelopes. In addition, we ask for Spitzer time to obtain
55-95 micron
spectra of 75 of the protostars. Combining these new data
with existing
3.6 to 70 micron photometry and forthcoming 5-40 micron
spectra measured
with the Spitzer Space Telescope, we will determine the
physical
properties of the protostars such as envelope density,
luminosity,
infall rate, and outflow cavity opening angle. By
examining how these
properties vary with stellar density (i.e. clusters vs
groups vs
isolation) and the properties of the surrounding molecular
cloud; we can
directly measure how the surrounding environment
influences protostellar
evolution, and consequently, the formation of stars and
planetary
systems. Ultimately, this data will guide the development
of a theory of
protostellar evolution.
WFPC2 11235
HST NICMOS Survey of the Nuclear Regions 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
NICMOS NIC2 imaging of the nuclear regions 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 and resolution of NICMOS NIC2 on HST enables a
unique
opportunity to study the detailed structure of the nuclear
regions,
where dust obscuration may mask star clusters, AGN and
additional nuclei
from optical view, with a resolution significantly higher
than possible
with Spitzer IRAC. This survey thus provides a crucial
component to our
study of the dynamics and evolution of IR galaxies
presently underway
with Wide-Field, HST ACS/WFC and Spitzer IRAC observations
of these 88
galaxies. Imaging will be done with the F160W filter
{H-band} to examine
as a function of both luminosity and merger stage {i} the
luminosity and
distribution of embedded star clusters, {ii} the presence
of optically
obscured AGN and nuclei, {iii} the correlation between the
distribution
of 1.6 micron emission and the mid-IR emission as detected
by Spitzer
IRAC, {iv} the evidence of bars or bridges that may funnel
fuel into the
nuclear region, and {v} the ages of star clusters for
which photometry
is available via ACS/WFC observations. The NICMOS data,
combined with
the HST ACS, Spitzer, and GALEX observations of this
sample, will result
in the most comprehensive study of merging and interacting
galaxies to
date.
WFPC2 11302
WFPC2 CYCLE 16 Standard Darks - Part III
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 11793
WFPC2 Cycle 16 Internal Monitor
This calibration proposal is the Cycle 15 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 (both
gain 7 and
gain 15 -- to test stability of gains and bias levels), a
test for
quantum efficiency in the CCDs, and a monitor for possible
buildup of
contaminants on the CCD windows. These also provide raw
data for
generating annual super-bias reference files for the calibration
pipeline.
WFPC2 11797
Supplemental WFPC2 CYCLE 16 Intflat Linearity Check and
Filter Rotation
Anomaly Monitor
Supplemental observations to 11029, to cover period from
Aug 08 to SM4.
Intflat observations will be taken to provide a linearity
check: the
linearity test consists of a series of intflats in F555W,
in each gain
and each shutter. A combination of intflats, visflats, and
earthflats
will be used to check the repeatability of filter wheel
motions.
(Intflat sequences tied to decons, visits 1-18 in prop
10363, have been
moved to the cycle 15 decon proposal 11022 for easier
scheduling.)
Note: long-exposure WFPC2 intflats must be scheduled
during ACS anneals
to prevent stray light from the WFPC2 lamps from
contaminating long ACS
external exposures.
Note: These are supplemental observations to cover June to
SM4 (oct 8
'08) + 6 months.
FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUMMARY:
Significant Spacecraft Anomalies: (The following are
preliminary reports
of potential non-nominal performance that will be
investigated.)
HSTARS:
11432 - GSAcq(1,3,3) Failed Search Radius Limit exceeded
on FGS 3
Upon acquisition of signal at 224/22:28:06 a 486 ESB message "A07"
("FGS
Coarse Track failed - Time out waiting for Data Valid") was observed
along with QF3SRLEX, QF3STOPF, QSRCHEXC and QSTOP flags set.
GSACQ(1,3,3) at 224/21:20:07 failed while vehicle was LOS. #44 commands
did not update from previous values before loss of signal.
Observations
affected: NICMOS 74 to 77, proposals 11548, 08795.
11433 - GSAcq(2,1,2) failed to RGA control due to Search
Radius Limit exceeded
GSacq(2,1,2) scheduled at 225/02:11:49 failed during LOS due to search
radius limit exceeded on FGS 1. At acquisition of signal 225/02:38:00 a
ESB message "a05" (Exceeded SRL) was observed.
QF1SRLEX,QF1STOPF,QSRCHEXC,and QSTOP flags were set.
Observations affected: NIC 85 ID#08795, NIC 86-88 ID#11548
11434 - GSAcq(2,3,2) failed due to Scan Step Limit
Exceeded
During LOS GSacq(2,3,2) scheduled at 225/05:41:27 failed due to scan
step limit exceeded on FGS 2. Upon acquisition of signal 225/06:42:35
flags QF2SSLEX, Q2STOPF,QSTEPEXC, and QSTOP were set indicating the
GSacq failed to RGA control.
Observations affected: NIC 90 - 91 Proposal ID#11320
11435 - GSAcq(2,1,1) failed Scan Step Limit Exceeded on
FGS 2
GSacq(2,1,1) scheduled at 225/06:50:46 failed at 225/06:54:19 due to
scan step limit exceeded on FGS 2. OBAD1 showed errors of V1=-3.90,
V2=-0.77, V3=7.39, and RSS=8.39.
Observations affected: ACS 2 proposal ID# 11151, NIC 92-94 Proposal
ID#11330
COMPLETED OPS REQUEST: (None)
COMPLETED OPS NOTES: (None)
SCHEDULED
SUCCESSFUL
FGS
GSacq
11
07
FGS
REacq
04
04
OBAD with Maneuver
26
26
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS: (None)