HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE - Continuing to collect World Class Science

DAILY REPORT      # 4575

PERIOD COVERED: UT March 25, 2008 (DOY 085)

OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED

ACS/SBC 11220

Mapping the FUV Evolution of Type IIn Supernovae

We will use the PR110L prism on the SBC of ACS to map the FUV evolution
of Type IIn supernovae {SNe}. The main goal of this proposal is to
measure the FUV continuum, Ly-a emission line flux, and their evolution
to {1} quantify and interpret Type IIn SN transient event detections at
high redshift and {2} dramatically improve current high redshift Type
IIn selection criteria. We show that the inherent properties of Type IIn
SNe facilitate high redshift detection. We will observe the rest-frame
FUV of a sample of eight 0.02 < z < 0.33 Type IIn SNe to directly
measure the survival of Ly-alpha photons in low to intermediate redshift
Type IIn SNe environments and extrapolate the results to high redshift.
We will calibrate relationships such as FUV luminosity vs. emission line
flux and measure emission line evolution vs. FUV light evolution. The
intent is to categorize and improve the utility of Type IIn SNe.

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.

WFPC2 11014

Primordial formation of close binaries in globular clusters with low
density cores

The primordial binary population is a key input parameter for any
realistic model of dense star cluster dynamics. However, the number of
primordial binaries and its direct implications for the formation rate
of close binaries remain poorly understood. Theoretical calculations
show that cataclysmic variables can be formed directly from primordial
binaries in or near the core of low core density globular clusters. We
propose to use Chandra/HST to study low density core globular clusters
systematically and to test the prediction that low-luminosity X-ray
sources can be formed from primordial binaries in the cluster core. This
project will complement our successful Chandra/HST program to study the
dynamical formation of X-ray sources in high core density globular
clusters.

WFPC2 11083

The Structure, Formation and Evolution of Galactic Cores and Nuclei

A surprising result has emerged from the ACS Virgo Cluster Survey
{ACSVCS}, a program to obtain ACS/WFC gz imaging for a large, unbiased
sample of 100 early-type galaxies in the Virgo Cluster. On subarcsecond
scales {i.e., <0.1"-1"}, the HST brightness profiles vary systematically
from the brightest giants {which have nearly constant surface brightness
cores} to the faintest dwarfs {which have compact stellar nuclei}.
Remarkably, the fraction of galaxy mass contributed by the nuclei in the
faint galaxies is identical to that contributed by supermassive black
holes in the bright galaxies {0.2%}. These findings strongly suggest
that a single mechanism is responsible for both types of Central Massive
Object: most likely internally or externally modulated gas inflows that
feed central black holes or lead to the formation of "nuclear star
clusters". Understanding the history of gas accretion, star formation
and chemical enrichment on subarcsecond scales has thus emerged as the
single most pressing question in the study of nearby galactic nuclei,
either active or quiescent. We propose an ambitious HST program {199
orbits} that constitutes the next, obvious step forward:
high-resolution, ultraviolet {WFPC2/F255W} and infrared {NIC1/F160W}
imaging for the complete ACSVCS sample. By capitalizing on HST's unique
ability to provide high-resolution images with a sharp and stable PSF at
UV and IR wavelengths, we will leverage the existing optical HST data to
obtain the most complete picture currently possible for the history of
star formation and chemical enrichment on these small scales. Equally
important, this program will lead to a significant improvement in the
measured structural parameters and density distributions for the stellar
nuclei and the underlying galaxies, and provide a sensitive measure of
"frosting" by young stars in the galaxy cores. By virtue of its superb
image quality and stable PSF, NICMOS is the sole instrument capable of
the IR observations proposed here. In the case of the WFPC2
observations, high-resolution UV imaging {< 0.1"} is a capability unique
to HST, yet one that could be lost at any time.

WFPC2 11130

AGNs with Intermediate-mass Black Holes: Testing the Black Hole-Bulge
Paradigm, Part II

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 {<10^6 solar masses}, if they exist, may
offer important clues to the nature of the seeds of supermassive black
holes. Using the SDSS, our group has successfully uncovered a new
population of AGNs with intermediate-mass black holes that reside in
low-luminosity galaxies. However, very little is known about the
detailed morphologies or structural parameters of the host galaxies
themselves, including the crucial question of whether they have bulges
or not. Surprisingly, the majority of the targets of our Cycle 14 pilot
program have structural properties similar to dwarf elliptical galaxies.
The statistics from this initial study, however, are really too sparse
to reach definitive conclusions on this important new class of black
holes. We wish to extend this study to a larger sample, by using the
Snapshot mode to obtain WFPC2 F814W images from a parent sample of 175
AGNs with intermediate- mass black holes selected from our final SDSS
search. We are particularly keen to determine whether the hosts contain
bulges, and if so, how the fundamental plane properties of the host
depend on the mass of their central black holes. We will also
investigate the environment of this unique class of AGNs.

WFPC2 11182

The Mass of the Milky Way: Orbits for Leo I and Leo II: Second Epoch
Imaging of Leo II

Constraining the mass of the Galaxy at large radii remains a difficult
problem. Available data are still rather scarce, and orbits of even a
few objects at large radii can have a large impact. We propose to obtain
proper motions for the two satellites Leo I and Leo II, which orbit the
Galaxy at about 200 kpc. Together with the radial velocities of these
galaxies, which are well known, the proper motions allow space
velocities to be constructed: these can remove significant uncertainty
in the Galactic mass models, and in particular settle the vexed question
of whether or not Leo I is gravitationally bound to the Galaxy. The
proper motion of Leo I is addressed in a companion archival proposal;
here we address the WFPC2 imagery of Leo II.

FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUMMARY:

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

HSTARS: (None)

COMPLETED OPS REQUEST: (None)

COMPLETED OPS NOTES: (None)

                       SCHEDULED      SUCCESSFUL
FGS GSacq 08                  08                  
FGS REacq 07                  07                  
OBAD with Maneuver 30                  30                 

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS: (None)

-Lynn
____________________________________________________________
Lynn F. Bassford
Hubble Space Telescope
CHAMP Mission Operations Manager

CHAMP Flight Operations Team Manager
Lockheed Martin Mission Services (LMMS)

NASA GSFC PH#: 301-286-2876

"The Hubble Space Telescope is the astronomical observatory and key to unlocking the most cosmic mysteries of the past, present and future."    - 7/26/6