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)