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Daily 3815
HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE - Continuing to collect World Class Science
DAILY REPORT # 3815 PERIOD COVERED: DOYs 70-72 OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED NIC1/NIC2/NIC3 8792 NICMOS Post-SAA calibration - CR Persistence Part 3 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. NIC2 10428 The colours of QSO host galaxies at z=2 and the evolution of their stellar masses We propose to use NICMOS imaging to measure the rest-frame optical/UV colours of a complete sample of 10 QSO host galaxies at redshifts between z=1.5 and z=2. From our cycle 11 HST observations {the GEMS project} we know that QSO host galaxies at redshifts of z~1 show blue colours despite having early-type morphologies. This is in excellent agreement with recent SDSS results on low-z AGN hosts, suggesting that QSO- type activity in galaxies correlates strongly with the presence of a young stellar population. Our proposed NICMOS observations will allow us to test the validity of this hypothesis out to z~2, by relating the observed QSO host colours to those of normal galaxies at similar redshifts taken from GOODS. We have already established within GEMS that the QSO hosts in our sample possess substantial UV luminosities, most likely originating from young stars. Knowing rest-frame colours, we can estimate stellar ages and stellar masses. For the first time will it be possible to determine the evolution of stellar masses in QSO host galaxies from z=2, the epoch of maximum QSO activity, to the present. Our results will shed light on the relation between nuclear activity and the star formation history of galaxies, and how these processes may jointly drive the cosmic evolution of QSOs and galaxies. ACS/HRC/WFC 10399 Accurate and Robust Calibration of the Extragalactic Distance Scale with the Maser Galaxy NGC4258 II The extragalactic distance scale {EDS} is defined by a comparison of Cepheid Period- Luminosity {PL} relations for nearby galaxies and the LMC, whose uncertain distance is thereby the SOLE anchor. Studies of masers orbiting the central black hole in NGC4258 have provided the most accurate extragalactic distance ever {7.2+/-0.5 Mpc}, and new radio data and analysis techniques will reduce the uncertainty to 3.5% {0.07 mag} by 2005. Since this distance is well determined and based on geometric arguments, NGC4258 can provide a much needed new anchor for the EDS. Ultimately, the combination of an independent measurement of H0 and measurements of CMB fluctuations {e.g., WMAP} can be used to directly constrain cosmological parameters including the equation of state of dark energy. In our Cycle 12 proposal, we defined a program spanning two cycles. The Cycle 12 portion was accepted. We have acquired WFC images and are constructing well sampled PL relations in 3 colors {BVI}. The purpose of the Cycle 13 observations is to address systematic sources of error and is crucial for the success of the entire program. To disentangle the effects of reddening and metallicity, and to characterize the effects of blending, we require 50 orbits to obtain H-band photometry {NICMOS/NIC2} and high resolution images {ACS/HRC}. ACS/HRC/WFC 10367 ACS CCDs daily monitor- cycle 13 - part 1 This program consists of a set of basic tests to monitor, the read noise, the development of hot pixels and test for any source of noise in ACS CCD detectors. The files, biases and dark will be used to create reference files for science calibration. This programme will be for the entire lifetime of ACS. ACS/WFC 10349 A Uniform Study of Globular Cluster X-ray Sources: the Keys to Cluster Dynamical We propose to extend our ongoing studies of the dynamical evolution of globular clusters by observing their populations of low-luminosity X-ray sources. Many of these sources are binary systems {or have evolved from them} and hold the key to the cluster's dynamical evolution. We propose observations of a variety of clusters with widely different physical properties such as central concentration, cluster size and mass, which are all key ingredients in the formation and evolution of binaries. To make this study as uniform as possible, the clusters will be observed to the same limiting luminosity. Joint observations with HST will allow for definitive source identification. NIC3 10337 The COSMOS 2-Degree ACS Survey NICMOS Parallels The COSMOS 2-Degree ACS Survey NICMOS Parallels. This program is a companion to program 10092. ACS/WFC 10257 Astrometric and Photometric Study of NGC 6397 for Internal Motions, Dark Binaries, and X-Ray Sources We propose to observe the central regions of the globular cluster NGC 6397 with ACS/WFC once per month for the 10 months of its visibility in Cycle 13. The project has three main goals: {1} Measure internal motions for roughly 3000 stars within 150 arcseconds of the cluster center, using archival WFPC2 as a first epoch. The motion of the typical star will be measured to 10-20%. We will detect any central black hole {BH} with a mass greater than 1000 solar masses, and will also measure core-collapse signatures such as anisotropy. {2} Conduct the first-ever search for heavy binaries by looking for the astrometric "wobble" of the luminous secondary. We should find all heavy binaries in the field with separations between 1 and 5 AU and periods between 3 months and 5 years. {3} Search for opticall counterparts to X-ray sources found by Chandra. ACS/HRC 10255 A Never Before Explored Phase Space: Resolving Close White Dwarf / Red Dwarf We propose an ACS Snapshot imaging survey to resolve a well-defined sample of highly probable white dwarf plus red dwarf close binaries. These candidates were selected from a search for white dwarfs with infrared excess from the 2MASS database. They represent unresolved systems {separations less than approximately 2" in the 2MASS images} and are distributed over the whole sky. Our HST+ACS observations will be sensitive to a separation range {1-20 AU} never before probed by any means. The proposed study will be the first empirical test of binary star parameters in the post-AGB phase, and cannot be accomplished from the ground. By resolving as few as 20 of our ~100 targets with HST, we will be able to characterize the distribution of orbital semi- major axes and secondary star masses. ACS/HRC 10199 The Most Massive Galaxies in the Universe: Double Trouble? We are proposing an HST snapshot survey of 70 objects with velocity dispersion larger than 350 km/s, selected from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Potentially this sample contains the most massive galaxies in the Universe. Some of these objects may be superpositions; HST imaging is the key to determining if they are single and massive or if they are two objects in projection. The objects which HST imaging shows to be single objects are interesting because they potentially harbor the most massive black holes, and because their existence places strong constraints on galaxy formation models. When combined with ground based data already in hand, the objects which HST imaging shows are superpositions provide valuable information about interaction rates of early- type galaxies as well as their dust content. They also constrain the allowed parameter space for models of binary gravitational lenses {such models are currently invoked to explain discrepancies in the distribution of lensed image flux ratios and separations}. ACS/WFC/NIC2 10189 PANS-Probing Acceleration Now with Supernovae Type Ia supernovae {SNe Ia} provide the most direct evidence for an accelerating Universe, a result widely attributed to dark energy. Using HST in Cycle 11 we extended the Hubble diagram with 6 of the 7 highest-redshift SNe Ia known, all at z1.25, providing conclusive evidence of an earlier epoch of cosmic deceleration. The full sample of 16 new SNe Ia match the cosmic concordance model and are inconsistent with a simple model of evolution or dust as alternatives to dark energy. Understanding dark energy may be the biggest current challenge to cosmology and particle physics. To understand the nature of dark energy, we seek to measure its two most fundamental properties: its evolution {i.e., dw/dz}, and its recent equation of state {i.e., w{z=0}}. SNe Ia at z1, beyond the reach of the ground but squarely within the reach of HST with ACS, are crucial to break the degeneracy in the measurements of these two basic aspects of dark energy. The SNe Ia we have discovered and measured with HST in Cycle 11, now double the precision of our knowledge of both properties. Here we propose to quadruple the sample of SNe Ia at z1 in the next two cycles, complementing on-going surveys from the ground at z1, and again doubling the precision of dark energy constraints. Should the current best fit model prove to be the correct one, the precision expected from the current proposal will suffice to rule out a cosmological constant at the 99% confidence level. Whatever the result, these objects will provide the basis with which to extend our empirical knowledge of this newly discovered and dominant component of the Universe, and will remain one of the most significant legacies of HST. In addition, our survey and follow-up data will greatly enhance the value of the archival data within the target Treasury fields for galaxy studies. ACS/HRC 10185 When does Bipolarity Impose itself on the Extreme Mass Outflows from AGB Stars? An ACS SNAPshot Survey Essentially all well-characterized preplanetary nebulae {PPNe} -- objects in transition between the AGB and planetary nebula evolutionary phases - are bipolar, whereas the mass-loss envelopes of AGB stars are strikingly spherical. In order to understand the processes leading to bipolar mass-ejection, we need to know at what stage of stellar evolution does bipolarity in the mass-loss first manifest itself? Our previous SNAPshot surveys of a PPNe sample {with ACS & NICMOS} show that roughly half our targets observed are resolved, with well-defined bipolar or multipolar morphologies. Spectroscopic surveys of our sample confirm that these objects have not yet evolved into planetary nebulae. Thus, the transformation from spherical to aspherical geometries has already fully developed by the time these dying stars have become preplanetary nebulae. From this new and surprising result, we hypothesize that the transformation to bipolarity begins during the very late AGB phase, and happens very quickly, just before, or as the stars are evolving off the AGB. We propose to test this hypothesis quantitatively, through a SNAPshot imaging survey of very evolved AGB stars which we believe are nascent preplanetary nebulae; with our target list being drawn from published lists of AGB stars with detected heavy mass-loss {from millimeter-wave observations}. This survey is crucial for determining how and when the bipolar geometry asserts itself. Supporting kinematic observations using long-slit optical spectroscopy {with the Keck}, millimeter and radio interferometric observations {with OVRO, VLA & VLBA} are being undertaken. The results from this survey {together with our previous work} will allow us to draw general conclusions about the onset of bipolar mass-ejection during late stellar evolution, and will provide crucial input for theories of post-AGB stellar evolution. Our survey will produce an archival legacy of long-standing value for future studies of dying stars. NIC2 10177 Solar Systems In Formation: A NICMOS Coronagraphic Survey of Protoplanetary and Debris Disks Until recently, despite decades of concerted effort applied to understanding the formation processes that gave birth to our solar system, the detailed morphology of circumstellar material that must eventually form planets has been virtually impossible to discern. The advent of high contrast, coronagraphic imaging as implemented with the instruments aboard HST has dramatically enhanced our understanding of natal planetary system formation. Even so, only a handful of evolved disks {~ 1 Myr and older} have been imaged and spatially resolved in light scattered from their constituent grains. To elucidate the physical processes and properties in potentially planet-forming circumstellar disks, and to understand the nature and evolution of their grains, a larger spatially resolved and photometrically reliable sample of such systems must be observed. Thus, we propose a highly sensitive circumstellar disk imaging survey of a well-defined and carefully selected sample of YSOs {1-10 Myr T Tau and HAeBe stars} and { app 10 Myr} main sequence stars, to probe the posited epoch of planetary system formation, and to provide this critically needed imagery. Our resolved images will shed light on the spatial distributions of the dust in these thermally emissive disks. In combination with their long wavelength SEDs the physical properties of the grains will be discerned, or constrained by our photometrically accurate surface brightness sensitivity limits for faint disks which elude detection. Our sample builds on the success of the exploratory GTO 7233 program, using two-roll per orbit PSF-subtracted NICMOS coronagraphy to provide the highest detection sensitivity to the smallest disks around bright stars which can be imaged with HST. Our sample will discriminate between proposed evolutionary scenarios while providing a legacy of cataloged morphologies for interpreting mid- and far-IR SEDs that the recently launched Spitzer Space Telescope will deliver. ACS/WFC 10174 Dark-matter halos and evolution of high-z early-type galaxies Gravitational lensing and stellar dynamics provide two complementary methods to determine the mass distribution and evolution of luminous and dark-matter in early-type {E/S0} galaxies. The combined study of stellar dynamics and gravitational lensing allows one to break degeneracies inherent to each method separately, providing a clean probe of the internal structure of massive galaxies. Since most lens galaxies are at redshifts z=0.1-1.0, they also provide the required look-back time to study their structural and stellar-population evolution. We recently analyzed 5 E/S0 lens galaxies between z=0.5 and 1.0, combining exquisite Hubble Space Telescope imaging data with kinematic data from ground-based Keck spectroscopy, placing the first precise constraints on the dark- matter mass fraction and its inner slope beyond the local Universe. To expand the sample to ~30 systems -- required to study potential trends and evolution in the E/S0 mass profiles -- we propose to target the 49 E/S0 lens-galaxy candidates discovered by Bolton et al. {2004} from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey {SDSS}. With the average lens rate being 40% and some systems having a lensing probability close to unity, we expect to discover ~20 strong gravitational lenses from the sample. This will triple the current sample of 9 E/S0 systems, with data in hand. With the sample of 30 systems, we will be able to determine the average slope of the dark-matter and total mass profile of E/S0 galaxies to 10% and 4% accuracy, respectively. If present, we can simultaneously detect 10% evolution in the total mass slope with 95% confidence. This will provide unprecedented constraints on E/S0 galaxies beyond the local Universe and allow a stringent test of their formation scenarios and the standard cosmological model. NIC2 10173 Infrared Snapshots of 3CR Radio Galaxies Radio galaxies are an important class of extragalactic objects: they are one of the most energetic astrophysical phenomena and they provide an exceptional probe of the evolving Universe, lying typically in high density regions but well-represented across a wide redshift range. In earlier Cycles we carried out extensive HST observations of the 3CR sources in order to acquire a complete and quantitative inventory of the structure, contents and evolution of these important objects. Amongst the results, we discovered new optical jets, dust lanes, face-on disks with optical jets, and revealed point-like nuclei whose properties support FR-I/BL Lac unified schemes. Here, we propose to obtain NICMOS infrared images of 3CR sources with z0.3 as a major enhancement to an already superb dataset. We aim to deshroud dusty galaxies, study the underlying host galaxy free from the distorting effects of dust, locate hidden regions of star formation and establish the physical characteristics of the dust itself. We will measure frequency and spectral energy distributions of point-like nuclei, expected to be stronger and more prevalent in the IR, seek spectral turnovers in known synchrotron jets and find new jets. We will strongly test unified AGN schemes and merge these data with existing X-ray to radio observations. The resulting database will be an incredibly valuable resource to the astronomical community for years to come. ACS/WFC 10152 A Snapshot Survey of a Complete Sample of X-ray Luminous Galaxy Clusters from Redshift 0.3 to 0.7 We propose a public, uniform imaging survey of a well-studied, complete, and homogeneous sample of X-ray clusters. The sample of 73 clusters spans the redshift range between 0.3-0.7. The samples spans almost 2 orders of magnitude of X-ray luminosity, where half of the sample has X-ray luminosities greater than 10^44 erg/s {0.5- 2.0 keV}. These snapshots will be used to obtain a fair census of the the morphology of cluster galaxies in the cores of clusters, to detect radial and tangential arc candidates, to detect optical jet candidates, and to provide an approximate estimate of the shear signal of the clusters themselves, and potentially an assessment of the contribution of large scale structure to lensing shear. ACS 10140 Identification of a magnetic anomaly at Jupiter from satellite footprints Repeated imaging of Jupiter's aurora has shown that the northern main oval has a distorted 'kidney bean' shape in the general range of 90-140? System III longitude, which appears unchanged since 1994. While it is more difficult to observe the conjugate regions in the southern aurora, no corresponding distortion appears in the south. Recent improved accuracy in locating the satellite footprint auroral emissions has provided new information about the geometry of Jupiter's magnetic field in this and other areas. The study of the magnetic field provides us with insight into the state of matter and the dynamics deep down Jupiter. There is currently no other way to do this from orbit. The persistent pattern of the main oval implies a disturbance of the local magnetic field, and the increased latitudinal separation of the locus of satellite footprints from each other and from the main oval implies a locally weaker field strength. It is possible that these phenomena result from a magnetic anomaly in Jupiter's intrinsic magnetic field, as was proposed by A. Dessler in the 1970's. There is presently only limited evidence from the scarcity of auroral footprints observed in this longitude range. We propose to obtain HST UV images with specific observing geometries of Jupiter to determine the locations of the auroral footprints of Io, Europa, and Ganymede in cycle 13 to accurately determine the magnetic field geometry in the suggested anomaly region, and to either confirm or refute the suggestion of a local magnetic anomaly. ACS/WFC/NIC3/WFPC 10134 2 The Evolution and Assembly of Galactic Disks: Integrated studies of mass, stars and gas in the Extended Groth Strip This project is a 126-orbit imaging survey in F606W/F814W ACS to measure the evolution of galaxy disks from redshift z = 1.4 to the present. By combining HST imaging with existing observations in the Extended Groth Strip, we can for the first time simultaneously determine the mass in dark matter that underlies disks, the mass in stars within those disks, and the rate of formation of new stars from gas in the disks, for samples of 1, 000 objects. ACS observations are critical for this work, both for reliable identifications of disks and for determining their sizes and inclinations. Combining these data with the kinematics measured from high-resolution Keck DEIMOS spectra will give dynamical masses that include dark matter. Stellar masses can be measured separately using ground-based BRIK and Spitzer IRAC GTO data, while cross-calibrated star formation rates will come from DEEP2 spectra, GALEX, and Spitzer/MIPS. The field chosen is the only one where all multiwavelength data needed will be available in the near term. These data will show how the fundamental properties of disks {luminosity, rotation speed, scale length} and their scaling relations have evolved since z~1, and also will measure the build-up of stellar disks directly, providing fundamental tests of disk formation and evolution. In addition to the above study of disk galaxies, the data will also be used to measure the evolution of red-sequence galaxies and their associated stellar populations. ACS images will yield the number of red-sequence galaxies versus time, together with their total associated stellar mass. ACS images are crucial to classify red-sequence galaxies into normal E/S0s versus peculiar types and to measure radii, which will complete the suite of fundamental structural parameters needed to study evolution. We will measure the zeropoints of major scaling laws {Fundamental Plane, radius versus sigma}, as well as evolution in characteristic quantities such as L*, v*, and r*. Stellar population ages will be estimated from high-resolution Keck DEIMOS spectra and compared to SED evolution measured from GALEX, HST, Spitzer, and ground-based colors. Important for both disk and red-galaxy programs are parallel exposures to be taken with both NIC3 {J and H} and WFPC2 {B}. These are arranged so that ACS, WFPC2, and NIC3 all overlap where possible , providing a rich data set of galaxies imaged with all three HST cameras from B to H. These data will be used to measure restframe visible morphologies and UV star-formation rates for galaxies near the edge of the survey, to discover and count EROs below the Keck spectroscopic limit of R = 24, and to provide an improved database of photometric redshifts for galaxies in the overlap regions. ACS/HRC/WFC 10117 The Co-Evolution of Star Formation and Powerful Radio Activity in Galaxies We will carry out a STIS/NUV-MAMA snapshot imaging survey of the most compact powerful radio galaxies, the Gigahertz Peaked Spectrum {GPS} sources and Compact Steep Spectrum {CSS} sources. These objects are as powerful as the large radio doubles but are much smaller {and younger} and are crucial to our understanding not only of how radio-loud active galactic nuclei {AGN} form and evolve, but also what role they play in the evolution of galaxies. A very direct and robust way to address these issues is by high resolution imaging of the host galaxies of these sources in the UV. This has never been done before for a sample of these very compact sources, since previous HST/UV imaging programs have focussed on the larger radio galaxies. The UV emission can provide crucial information about any recent star formation that may have occurred as a result of ongoing accretion, mergers, interactions, or triggering by the radio source. By comparing the starburst properties of GPS, CSS, and large scale radio sources, we will be able to constrain the evolution of massive star formation as a function of the relative age of the radio source. {Note, due to the failure of STIS, these observations will be carried out using the ACS/HRC}. ACS/WFC/WFPC2 10092 The COSMOS 2-Degree ACS Survey We will undertake a 2 square degree imaging survey {Cosmic Evolution Survey -- COSMOS} with ACS in the I {F814W} band of the VIMOS equatorial field. This wide field survey is essential to understand the interplay between Large Scale Structure {LSS} evolution and the formation of galaxies, dark matter and AGNs and is the one region of parameter space completely unexplored at present by HST. The equatorial field was selected for its accessibility to all ground-based telescopes and low IR background and because it will eventually contain ~100, 000 galaxy spectra from the VLT-VIMOS instrument. The imaging will detect over 2 million objects with I 27 mag {AB, 10 sigma}, over 35, 000 Lyman Break Galaxies {LBGs} and extremely red galaxies out to z ~ 5. COSMOS is the only HST project specifically designed to probe the formation and evolution of structures ranging from galaxies up to Coma-size clusters in the epoch of peak galaxy, AGN, star and cluster formation {z ~0.5 to 3}. The size of the largest structures necessitate the 2 degree field. Our team is committed to the assembly of several public ancillary datasets including the optical spectra, deep XMM and VLA imaging, ground-based optical/IR imaging, UV imaging from GALEX and IR data from SIRTF. Combining the full-spectrum multiwavelength imaging and spectroscopic coverage with ACS sub-kpc resolution, COSMOS will be Hubble's ultimate legacy for understanding the evolution of both the visible and dark universe. FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUMMARY: Significant Spacecraft Anomalies: (The following are preliminary reports of potential non-nominal performance that will be investigated.) HSTAR 9742: GSACQ(1,3,1) failed to RGA control with ACS MAMA high voltage on. GSAcq(1,3,1) at 071/05:03:01 failed to RGA control due to Search Radius Limit Exceeded on FGS-1 at 05:08:44. Two Full Maneuver updates prior to acquisition and FHST map immediately after showed small attitude errors. Under investigation. COMPLETED OPS REQs: 17400-2 Off-Line the +D and +B SPA Trim Relays @ 070/1642z OPS NOTES EXECUTED: 1315-3 Adjust ACS Error Count @ 071/0946z 0916-0 Tabulation of Slew Attitude Error (Miss-distance) @ 073/0234z SCHEDULED SUCCESSFUL FAILURE TIMES FGS Gsacq 32 31 071/ 05:08:44z FGS Reacq 13 13 FHST Update 49 49 LOSS of LOCK SIGNIFICANT EVENTS: On DOY 070/05, the Solar Array configuration was modified. The number of off-line strings were decreased from 12 to 9. |
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