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Daily 3514
HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE
DAILY REPORT # 3514 PERIOD COVERED: DOYs 353-355 OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED NIC3 9999 The COSMOS 2-Degree ACS Survey NICMOS Parallels The COSMOS 2-Degree ACS Survey NICMOS Parallels. This program is a companion to program 9822. ACS 9984 Cosmic Shear With ACS Pure Parallels Small distortions in the shapes of background galaxies by foreground mass provide a powerful method of directly measuring the amount and distribution of dark matter. Several groups have recently detected this weak lensing by large-scale structure, also called cosmic shear. The high resolution and sensitivity of HST/ACS provide a unique opportunity to measure cosmic shear accurately on small scales. Using 260 parallel orbits in Sloan textiti {F775W} we will measure for the first time: beginlistosetlength sep0cm setlengthemsep0cm setlength opsep0cm em the cosmic shear variance on scales 0.7 arcmin, em the skewness of the shear distribution, and em the magnification effect. endlist Our measurements will determine the amplitude of the mass power spectrum sigma_8Omega_m^0.5, with signal-to-noise {s/n} ~ 20, and the mass density Omega_m with s/n=4. They will be done at small angular scales where non-linear effects dominate the power spectrum, providing a test of the gravitational instability paradigm for structure formation. Measurements on these scales are not possible from the ground, because of the systematic effects induced by PSF smearing from seeing. Having many independent lines of sight reduces the uncertainty due to cosmic variance, making parallel observations ideal. ACS/HRC/WFC 9884 Dwarf Elliptical Galaxies in Nearby Groups: Stellar Populations and Abundances The M81 group is of the nearest galaxy groups, but its properties are quite different from the Local Group, providing a different evolutionary environment for its member galaxies. This team has been studying M81-group analogs to Local Group dwarf elliptical {dE} galaxies. We observed two M81-group dEs with WFPC2: the results were published in Caldwell et al. {1998}. These observations revealed the upper two magnitudes of the red giant branch, yielding distance via the luminosity of the red giant branch tip, mean abundance via the mean giant branch color and first assessment of the star formation history via the frequency of occurrence of upper-AGB stars. Despite the different environment, the two M81-group dEs follow the Local Group {absolute magnitude, mean abundance} relation. But without data for additional dEs in nearby groups, particularly at higher luminosities, we can't definitely say whether this relation is universal or not. Establishing the answer to this question is vital because the relation is fundamental to theories of dE formation within dark matter halos, and the general applicability of these theories requires demonstration that the relation isn't strongly influenced by environment. This proposal requests ACS/WFC observations of five M81-group dEs to resolve this question. NIC/NIC3 9865 The NICMOS Parallel Observing Program 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. ACS/WFC 9860 ESSENCE: Measuring the Dark Energy Equation of State The accelerating universe appears to be dominated by a dark energy with a significant negative pressure. The ratio of the pressure to density of this mysterious energy {its equation of state} is an observable which can differentiate between the proliferating candidate theories. We propose to estimate the dark energy equation of state by observing Type Ia supernovae at redshifts near z=0.7 with HST in concert with the on-going ESSENCE NOAO Survey program that is discovering and studying supernovae between 0.3z0.8. We show that an interesting constraint on the equation of state can be made with supernovae observed at modest redshifts given the current knowledge of the matter density. We will follow 10 Type Ia supernovae discovered from the ground and passed to HST without disrupting its schedule. The full data set will constrain the equation of state to 10% and strictly limit the range of possible dark energy models. In keeping with the ESSENCE policy, these observations will available to the community immediately. STIS/CCD 9849 AGN Black Hole Masses from Stellar Dynamics We propose to measure the black-hole masses in two reverberation-mapped Seyfert 1 galaxies, NGC 3227 and NGC 4151, by using STIS spectroscopic observations of the Ca II triplet absorption features in the nuclear stellar spectra of these sources. The observations will be carried out on a TOO basis when the active nuclei are faint, thus mitigating the problem of contamination of the starlight component by the scattered light from the active nucleus. These observations will enable the first direct comparison of black-hole masses determined from stellar dynamics {the most frequently used method for quiescent galaxies} with those determined by reverberation mapping {the most frequently used method for active galaxies}. ACS/WFC/WFPC2 9822 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. ACS/WFC/WFPC2 9810 Accurate and Robust Calibration of the Extragalactic Distance Scale with the Maser Galaxy NGC4258 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 maser sources orbiting the central black hole in the galaxy NGC4258 have provided the most accurate extragalactic distance ever {7.2+/- 0.5Mpc}. Since this distance is well determined and based on GEOMETRIC arguments, NGC4258 can provide a much needed new anchor for the EDS. We propose multi-epoch BVIH observations of NGC4258 in order to discover about 100 Cepheids and to characterize their light curves with 2-3 times greater accuracy than was previously possible with WFPC2. At 90 orbits {48 in Cycle 12; 42 in Cycle 13}, this is a relatively large program. However, the result will have a major impact on the EDS, and substantial attention must be paid to characterization and minimization of systematic errors, as from metallicity, crowding, and blending. The resulting dataset will be the most complete for Cepheids in any galaxy yet studied with HST. In an ongoing NASA-funded program {OSS-SARA}, we are using new analysis techniques and radio data to reduce uncertainty in the geometric distance to 3% {0.07 mag}. With this improved geometric distance and the BVIH data, we will be able to calculate the zero point of the PL relation ROBUSTLY to 4% {0.09 mag}. STIS 9786 The Next Generation Spectral Library We propose to continue the Cycle 10 snapshot program to produce a Next Generation Spectral Library of 600 stars for use in modeling the integrated light of galaxies and clusters. This program is using the low dispersion UV and optical gratings of STIS. The library will be roughly equally divided among four metallicities, very low {[Fe/H] lt -1.5}, low {[Fe/H] -1.5 to -0.5}, near-solar {[Fe/H] -0.3 to 0.1}, and super-solar {[Fe/H] gt 0.2}, well-sampling the entire HR-diagram in each bin. Such a library will surpass all extant compilations and have lasting archival value, well into the Next Generation Space Telescope era. Because of the universal utility and community-broad nature of this venture, we waive the entire proprietary period. WFPC2 9712 Pure Parallel Near-UV Observations with WFPC2 within High-Latitude ACS Survey Fields In anticipation of the allocation of ACS high-latitude imaging survey{s}, we request a modification of the dfault pure parallel program for those WFPC2 parallels that fall within the ACS survey field. Rather than duplicate the red bands which will be done much better with ACS, we propose to observe in the near-ultraviolet F300W filter. These data will enable study of the rest-frame ultraviolet morphology of galaxies at 0z1. We will determine the morphological k-correction, and the location of star formation within galaxies, using a sample that is likely to be nearly complete with multi-wavelength photometry and spectroscopic redshifts. The results can be used to interpret observations of higher redshift galaxies by ACS. WFPC2 9709 POMS Test Proposal: WFII parallel archive proposal This is the generic target version of the WFPC2 Archival Pure Parallel program. The program will be used to take parallel images of random areas of the sky, following the recommendations of the 2002 Parallels Working Group. ACS/WFC 9575 Default {Archival} Pure Parallel Program. The Advanced Camera for Surveys (WFC) was used to test ACS pure parallels in POMS. ACS/WFPC2 9488 Cosmic Shear - with ACS Pure Parallel Observations The ACS, with greater sensitivity and sky coverage, will extend our ability to measure the weak gravitational lensing of galaxy images caused by the large scale distribution of dark matter. We propose to use the ACS in pure parallel {non- proprietary} mode, following the guidelines of the ACS Default Pure Parallel Program. Using the HST Medium Deep Survey WFPC2 database we have measured cosmic shear at arc-min angular scales. The MDS image parameters, in particular the galaxy orientations and axis ratios, are such that any residual corrections due to errors in the PSF or jitter are much smaller than the measured signal. This situation is in stark contrast with ground-based observations. We have also developed a statistical analysis procedure to derive unbiased estimates of cosmic shear from a large number of fields, each of which has a very small number of galaxies. We have therefore set the stage for measurements with the ACS at fainter apparent magnitudes and smaller, 10 arc-second scales corresponding to larger cosmological distances. We will adapt existing MDS WFPC2 maximum likelihood galaxy image analysis algorithms to work with the ACS. The analysis would also yield an online database similar to that in archive.stsci.edu/mds/ STIS 9435 Systematic Search for Rotation at the Base of Outflows from T Tauri Stars We wish to search for rotation signatures in the initial portion {first 100 AU} of a sample of outflows emanating from T Tauri stars {TTSs}. This project originates from our detection of systematic transverse radial velocity shifts in STIS spectra of the DG Tau jet {Bacciotti et al., 2002}. The shifts, observed in a region where the flow is already collimated, but has not yet manifestly interacted with its environment, are consistent with the predictions of magneto- centrifugal launching models, and may constitute the first observed indication for rotation in the initial portion of a jet flow. Rotation is a fundamental ingredient in star formation theories, thus we propose to confirm the above result by carrying out a systematic survey in similar flows. We plan to take for each jet a STIS spectrum in the 6300 -- 6800 Angstrom range, with the slit perpendicular to the flow direction and at a distance of about 0.''3 from the source {i.e., in our targets, 40 -- 70 AU along the jet depending on inclination angle}. Since the flows are resolved transversely with HST, the proposed slit orientation allows for the direct detection of systematic velocity shifts. Where found, we will check for consistency between the sense of rotation observed and that of the underlying disk through CO interferometric measurements. As a by-product, estimates of the excitation conditions across the flow {including ionization fraction} and of the mass outflow rates will be derived. STIS/ACS/NICMOS 9430 The Role of Jets in Shaping Planetary Nebulae Recent CO observations of several planetary nebulae {PN} suggest that collimated outflows may play a crucial role in the early shaping of these objects. The idea that jets may be the primary driver of the early development of some PN represents a major shift in thinking about the evolution of these objects. In the past, the role of jets has been considered secondary to the interacting winds scenario, the standard model of PN formation. We propose to use the unique capabilities of HST to access the importance of collimated outflows in the development of the young PN PK166-06D1 {AFGL 618}. We have chosen PK166-06D1 for this study because it is in the early stages of PN formation - the time during which jets would have the greatest impact on PN development. We propose to use STIS, ACS, and NICMOS to characterize the collimated outflows present in PK166- 06D1. The goals of this study a 1} to characterize the interaction of the jets with the surrounding AGB shell by determining the physical conditions in the outflows and the interaction regions, 2} to determine the structure of the surrounding AGB shell using deep optical imaging, 3} to investigate the origin of the collimated outflows by examining the central regions of the nebula. We require both the stability and high spatial resolution capabilities of HST for this project because we will be investigating the detailed structure of compact regions { 1"}. NICMOS 8790 NICMOS Post-SAA calibration - CR Persistence Part 1. 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. ACS/WFC 10086 The Ultra Deep Field with ACS The ACS Ultra Deep Field {UDF} is a survey carried out by using Director's Discretionary time. The main science driver are galaxy evolution and cosmology. The primary instrument is the Advanced Camera for Surveys but WFPC2 and NICMOS will also be used in parallel. The data will be made public. The UDF consists of a single ultra-deep field {410 orbits in total} within the CDF-S GOODS area. The survey will use four filters: F435W {55 orbits}, F606W {55 orbits}, F775W {150 orbits}, and F850LP {150 orbits}. The F435W {B} and F606W {V} exposures will be one magnitude deeper than the equivalent HDF filters. The F775W {I} exposure will be 1.5 magnitude deeper than the equivalent HDF exposure. The depth in F775W and F850LP is optimized for searching very red objects - like z=6 galaxies - at the detection limit of the F850LP image. The pointing will be RA{J2000}=3 32 40.0 and Decl.{J2000}=-27 48 00. These coordinates may change slightly due to guide star availability and implementation issues. We will attempt to include in the field both a spectroscopically confirmed z=5.8 galaxy and a spectroscopically confirmed type Ia SN at z=1.3. The pointing avoids the gaps with the lowest effective exposure on the Chandra ACIS image of CDFS. This basic structure of the survey represents a consensus recommendation of a Scientific Advisory Committee to the STScI Director Steven Beckwith. A local Working Group is looking in detail at the implementation of the survey. WFPC2 10082 POMS Test Proposal: WFII backup parallel archive proposal This is a POMS test proposal designed to simulate scientific plans WFPC2 10069 WFPC2 CYCLE 12 Supplemental Darks, Part 1/3 This dark calibration program obtains 3 dark frames every day to provide data for monitoring and characterizing the evolution of hot pixels. ACS/HRC/WFC 10042 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. STIS/CCD 10030 STIS/CCD Spectroscopic Sensitivity Monitor for Cycle 12 Monitor sensitivity of each CCD grating mode to detect any change due to contamination or other causes. STIS/CCD 10019 CCD Bias Monitor - Part 1 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. STIS/CCD 10017 CCD Dark Monitor-Part 1 Monitor the darks for the STIS CCD. WFPC2/ACS/HRC/WFC 10013 Focus Monitor The focus of HST is measured from WFPC2/PC and ACS/HRC images of stars. Multiple exposures are taken in parallel over an orbit to determine the influence of breathing on the derived mean focus. Observations are taken of clusters with suitable orientations to ensure stars appear in all fields. FGS 10011 Monitoring FGS1r's Interferometric Response as a Function of Spectral Color This proposal obtains reference point source Transfer Functions {S-Curves} for FGS1r through the F583W filter and the F5ND attenuator at the center position of the FGS1r FOV for a variety of stars of different spectral types. These Transfer Functions are needed to support the analysis of GO science data for the study of close and wide binary star systems and for determining the angular size and shape of extended sources. This proposal observes stars that have been observed in previous cycles to monitor the long term evolution of the FGS1r S-curves. This proposal also {1} monitors the FGS1r Lateral Color response {using stars Latcol-A and Latcol-B}, {2} calibrates the "Pos/Trans" bias of a star's position as determined from Transfer mode and Position mode observations, and {3} calibrates the shift of a star's centroid when observed with F5ND relative to that when observed with F583W. STIS/CCD 10000 STIS Pure Parallel Imaging Program: Cycle 12 This is the default archival pure parallel program for STIS during cycle 12. FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUMMARY: Significant Spacecraft Anomalies: (The following are preliminary reports of potential non-nominal performance that will be investigated.) None FGS acquisition 14 for 14, FGS re-acquisitions 13 for 13, FHST updates 36 for 36, no LOLs. SIGNIFICANT EVENTS: None |
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