|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Daily Report #3669 8/6/04
HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE - Continuing to collect World Class Science DAILY REPORT # 3669 PERIOD COVERED: DOY 218 OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED ACS/HRC/WFC 10061 CCD Daily Monitor This program consists of basic tests to monitor, the read noise, the development of hot pixels and test for any source of noise in ACS CCD detectors. This programme will be executed once a day for the entire lifetime of ACS. ACS/HRC/WFC 10206 What drives the outflows in powerful radio galaxies? There is increasing speculation that activity-induced outflows are an important feedback mechanism in evolution of galaxy bulges, yet uncertainties remain about the nature, dominant driving mechanism and powers of the outflows. In order to address these issues, we propose to make deep ACS and STIS observations of two compact radio sources in which we recently found unequivocal evidence for powerful emission line outflows, and in which all the potential drivers for the outflows -- quasar nuclei, relativistic jets and starbursts -- are known to be present. Using the unique capabilities of HST/ACS we will map the outflow regions in these sources at high spatial resolution and thereby determine the dominant outflow driving mechanism. In addition, by combining the morphological information from the ACS data with information on the kinematics and physical conditions derived from STIS and ground-based spectra, we will determine the mass outflow rates and powers in the outflows. This will be the first comprehensive study of the near-nuclear outflows in radio galaxies. Such studies are crucial for determining whether the activity associated with powerful extragalactic radio sources has a major impact on the evolution of the host early-type galaxies. ACS/WFC 10146 Solving the problem of the White Dwarf Cooling Sequence End in M4: an efficent approach The end of the white dwarf {WD} cooling sequence {WDCS} has never been observed, despite the importance that it has in providing an age estimate of old stellar systems, independent from the standard method of the main sequence turn off. The best targets for this investigation are the closest stellar clusters, and, among them, globular clusters are the most interesting ones. Being the oldest stellar aggregates, they allow to probe the advanced WD cooling phases, and the independent age estimate coming from the end of their WDCS has an important cosmological impact. M4 is the best target for this investigation. Despite huge observational efforts, we still miss the end of its WDCS. The ACS camera offers a unique opportunity to identify it. Coupled with already existing observations, we here prove that we can finally reach it with only 10 HST orbits.The data we are requesting here, will also be used to complete other two programs of great astrophysical impact: the observational detection of the main sequence hydrogen burning limit, and the measurement of the geometrical distance of M4. ACS/WFC 9744 HST Imaging of Gravitational Lenses Gravitational lenses offer unique opportunities to study cosmology, dark matter, galactic structure, galaxy evolution and quasar host galaxies. They are also the only sample of galaxies selected based on their mass rather than their luminosity or surface brightness. While gravitational lenses can be discovered with ground-based optical and radio observations, converting them into astrophysical tools requires HST. We will obtain ACS/WFC V and I images and NICMOS H images of 21 new lenses never observed by HST and NICMOS H images of 16 lenses never observed by HST in the IR. As in previous cycles, we request that the data be made public immediately. NIC/NIC3 10226 The NICMOS Grism Parallel Survey We propose to continue managing the NICMOS pure parallel program. Based on our experience, we are well prepared to make optimal use of the parallel opportunities. The improved sensitivity and efficiency of our observations will substantially increase the number of line-emitting galaxies detected. As our previous work has demonstrated, the most frequently detected line is Halpha at 0.7z1.9, which provides an excellent measure of current star formation rate. We will also detect star-forming and active galaxies in other redshift ranges using other emission lines. The grism observations will produce by far the best available Halpha luminosity functions over the crucial--but poorly observed--redshift range where galaxies appear to have assembled most of their stellar mass. This key process of galaxy evolution needs to be studied with IR data; we found that observations at shorter wavelengths appear to have missed a large fraction of the star-formation in galaxies, due to dust reddening. We will also obtain deep F110W and F160W images, to examine the space densities and morphologies of faint red galaxies. In addition to carrying out the public parallels, we will make the fully reduced and calibrated images and spectra available on-line, with some ground-based data for the deepest parallel fields included. NIC1/NIC2 9844 Brown dwarf atmospheric variability observations We propose to use NIC1 and NIC2 to study brown dwarfs for atmospheric variability. We will observe a sequence of early Ts, a detected variable T2, a T3 and a T4.5. Atmospheric variability, that is expected by some models for these objects, would constrain the physical parameters of cloud vertical distribution, horizontal homogeneity and the dynamics of the very cool atmospheres. The existence and amplitude of the variations would reveal the size and distribution of the cloud cover over the surface of the brown dwarf and test a model explaining the rapidity of the L to T type transition. The relative color changes would constrain the vertical extent of dynamical process and the depth in the atmosphere at which they take place. If a periodicity is measured, the rotational period of the dwarf could be estimated. 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. FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUMMARY: Significant Spacecraft Anomalies: (The following are preliminary reports of potential non-nominal performance that will be investigated.) None SCHEDULED SUCCESSFUL FAILURE TIMES FGS GSacq 7 7 FGS REacq 8 8 FHST Update 13 13 LOSS of LOCK SIGNIFICANT EVENTS: None |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Monitoring NASA Daily ISS Report | JimO | Space Station | 2 | June 1st 04 10:33 PM |
NEWS: Investigator Criticizes Shuttle Report | Rusty Barton | Space Shuttle | 0 | August 28th 03 01:36 AM |
Columbia Accident Investigation Board Releases Final Report | Jacques van Oene | Space Shuttle | 0 | August 26th 03 03:30 PM |
Columbia Accident Investigation Board Releases Final Report | Jacques van Oene | Space Station | 0 | August 26th 03 03:30 PM |
DEATH DOES NOT EXIST -- Coal Mine Rescue Proves It | Ed Conrad | Space Shuttle | 4 | August 2nd 03 01:00 AM |