HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE - Continuing to collect World Class
Science
DAILY REPORT #4897
PERIOD COVERED: 5am July 28 - 5am July 29, 2009 (DOY
209/09:00z-210/09:00z)
OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED
ACS 11465
ACS CCD Monitoring and Calibration for WFC3
This program is a smaller version of our routine CCD
monitoring program,
designed to run throughout SMOV, after which our regular
Cycle 17
proposal will begin. This program obtains the bias and
dark frames
needed to generate reference files for calibrating science
data, and
allows us to monitor detector noise and the growth of hot
pixels.
COS 11474
COS NUV Internal/External Wavelength Scales
Observe external radial velocity standard targets
(preferably, though
not required, in CVZ) in TIME-TAG (FLASH=YES) mode with as
many grating
and central wavelength combinations as feasible. The
purpose is to
obtain zero-point offsets for the wavelength scale
(internal wavecal
lamp scale to external standard wavelength scale) for all
central
wavelengths. Following this determination, adjustments of
the nominal
science target spectral range for each grating and central
wavelength
combination will be made via SMS patchable constant for
nominal OSM2
positions corresponding to each central wavelength.
Subsequent to this
modification of the wavelength scale (and its verification
in
program 11475), NUV science-related operations and
wavelength-scale
dependent EROs can commence.
COS 11478
COS NUV Flat Fields
Acquire long NUV flat field exposures using the internal
deuterium
calibration lamp with the G185M grating. Use central
wavelengths of 1835
angstroms, 1850 angstroms, and 1864 angstroms. Based on
data taken
during thermal vacuum testing in 2003 (Test 1750), a total
of 65,000
seconds of data should be sufficient to obtain ~7.5x10^7
total counts in
the science region of the detector (> 200 counts per
pixel, or 1800
counts per 3 x 3 pixel resolution element).
This is SMOV4 Activity COS-18.
STIS07 11404
CCD Dark and Bias Monitor for SMOV4/Cycle 17 Activity
STIS-07
Monitor the darks for the STIS CCD. Monitor the bias in
the 1x1, 1x2,
2x1, and 2x2 bin settings at gain=1, and 1x1 at gain = 4,
to build up
high-S/N superbiases and track the evolution of hot
columns.
STIS21 11391
STIS-21 FUV-MAMA Optical Format Verification
For each FUV-MAMA spectral optical element in the MSM
(G140L, G140M,
E140M, E140H), a LINE lamp spectrum will be taken to match
selected
observations that were done as part of the cycle 11
STIS/CAL program
9618. These observations will be done at one CENWAVE value
of each
grating, will verify the optical paths and MSM positioning
used for each
of these modes, and will also allow a check of the
spectral resolution.
The normal monthly MSM offsetting will be turned off and
the zero-offset
MSM positions used for these observations.
WFC3 11808
WFC3 UVIS Bowtie Monitor
The UVIS detector was observed during ground testing to
occasionally
exhibit flat field and dark variations with a bowtie
pattern. These
variations are most significant as ~1% flat field (gain)
variations
across the field of view. It is believed that this
represents a state or
condition into which the detector can transition for
reasons and under
circumstances which are not currently understood. It is
also very
unlikely that most science observations will determine the
state (bowtie
or no-bowtie) of the detector. Ground test data indicates
that this
state is long lived (many hours to ~one day). Hysteresis
or memory of
past light exposure is also associated with this state.
Recent evidence suggests that exposing the detector to
~200k to 500k
electrons may quench this state. This proposal obtains an
internal flat
field sequence of three exposures: one at 10x full well
with two at 0.5x
full well immediately before and after. Each exposure is
3x3 binned to
reduce the data volume required.
These visits should be scheduled 2x per day until further
direction is
provided.
WFC3/UVI 11565
A Search for Astrometric Companions to Very Low-Mass,
Population II
Stars
We propose to carry out a SNAPshot search for astrometric
companions in
a subsample of very low-mass, halo subdwarfs identified
within 120
parsecs of the Sun. These ultra- cool M subdwarfs are
local
representatives of the lowest-mass H-burning objects from
the Galactic
Population II. The expected 3-4 astrometric doubles that
will be
discovered will be invaluable in that they will be the
first systems
from which gravitational masses of metal-poor stars at the
bottom of the
main sequence can be directly measured.
WFC3/UVI 11657
The Population of Compact Planetary Nebulae in the
Galactic Disk
We propose to secure narrow- and broad-band images of
compact planetary
nebulae (PNe) in the Galactic Disk to study the missing
link of the
early phases of post-AGB evolution. Ejected AGB envelopes
become PNe
when the gas is ionized. PNe expand, and, when large
enough, can be
studied in detail from the ground. In the interim, only
the HST
capabilities can resolve their size, morphology, and
central stars. Our
proposed observations will be the basis for a systematic
study of the
onset of morphology. Dust properties of the proposed
targets will be
available through approved Spitzer/IRS spectra, and so
will the
abundances of the alpha-elements. We will be able thus to
explore the
interconnection of morphology, dust grains, stellar
evolution, and
populations. The target selection is suitable to explore
the nebular and
stellar properties across the Galactic Disk, and to set
constraints on
the galactic evolutionary models through the analysis of
metallicity and
population gradients.
FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUMMARY:
Significant Spacecraft Anomalies: (The following are
preliminary reports
of potential non-nominal performance that will be
investigated.)
HSTARS:
11954 COS Dib scidata overflow (LDOVRFLW) out of
limits for 6 minutes
at 209/11:50:23.
COMPLETED OPS REQUEST:
18604-0 - 8051 History Buffer Snapshot
18605-0 - 8051 Min/Max Buffer Monitoring and Reset
18643-1 - NCS Restart and Cooldown (steps 12-44) @
210/0204z
18647-0 - Mask
18657-0 - Genslew for proposal 11474 (slot #5) @ 209/1552
COMPLETED OPS NOTES: (NONE)
SCHEDULED
SUCCESSFUL
FGS
GSAcq
4
4
FGS
REAcq
12
12
OBAD with Maneuver
4
4
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS:
NICMOS Cooling System Restart: The NCS recovery
attempt began @ 209 12:11z
with an EPS taper charge system modification to
accommodate the expected
increase in vehicle load when NCS is restarted; a
successful circulator start
@ 209/12:17z; and a successful compressor start @
209/13:24z. 12.5 hours
after the successful compressor start (and ~4.5 after the
compressor ramp),
the NCS Cooldown halted by the NCC safing @
210/01:54z due to a low limit
violation for the Turbo Alternator speed.