#1
|
|||
|
|||
Daily 3795
HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE - Continuing to collect World Class Science
DAILY REPORT # 3795 PERIOD COVERED: DOY 41 OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED ACS/HRC 10238 The nature of quasar host galaxies: combining ACS imaging and VLT Integral Field Spectroscopy. We propose to perform ACS/F606W imaging of a complete sample of 29 quasar host galaxies {0.08z0.34}. The spatial resolving power of the ACS HRC, in combination with the acquisition of empirical PSFs and advanced deconvolution techniques, will allow to study in detail structures on scales of a few tens of parsecs, and to access the inner regions of the host galaxies, even in the presence of bright nuclei. We demonstrate that combining deep spectroscopy with high resolution imaging in stable PSF conditions definitely constitutes the solution to characterize the complex physical properties of quasar host galaxies, from their outer regions to the inner 0.1 kpc, where most of the information on the interplay between quasars and their hosts is hidden. We propose to combine new ACS images with existing Integral Field VLT Spectra. We will map the stellar and gas velocity fields in 2D, constrain the mass models, derive the radial host M/L ratios, map and characterize the stellar populations and the ionization state of the gas. ACS/HRC/WFC 10453 ACS short annealing test This program aims to verify if the annealing period for ACS CCD can be reduced from the current 12 hours to six hours. ACS/WFC 10135 Unveiling the Progenitors and Physics of Cosmic Explosions GRBs and XRFs are clearly highly asymmetric explosions and require a long-lived power source {central engine}. In contrast, nearby core-collapse events are essentially spherical explosions. However, the failure of spherical neutrino driven collapses has led to the idea that asymmetric energy release is essential for the explosion. The recent finding of a Type Ic SN in GRB 030329, the association of the low energy event GRB 980425 with SN 1998bw, the theoretical development discussed above and the rise of collapsar models make it timely to consider whether all these explosions contain engines. Given the uncertainties in theoretical modeling it is clear that observations are needed to guide models. A priori there is little reason to expect connection between the ultra- relativistic jet that powers the GRB and the explosive nucleosynthesis of the ~0.5 solar masses of Nickel-56 that powers the accompanying supernova. We propose a comprehensive program of ACS photometric searches {and measurements} for SNe associated with GRBs and XRFs. In concert, we will undertake ground-based spectroscopy to determine velocity widths, and measure engine parameters from pan- chromatic afterglow observations. Our goal is to produce a comprehensive database of engine and SN physical parameters against which theoretical modeling will be guided. ACS/WFC 10258 Tracing the Emergence of the Hubble Sequence Among the Most Luminous and Massive Galaxies There is mounting evidence that the redshift range 1 z 2 was an important era when massive galaxies assembled their stellar content and assumed their present--day morphologies. Despite extensive HST imaging surveys, however, there is very little data in the optical rest frame {i.e., observed near--infrared} on the morphologies of the most luminous galaxies at these redshifts. We propose to image a carefully selected set of 20 of the most luminous, K--band selected GOODS galaxies at 1.3 z 2, using NICMOS camera 2. This offers diffraction--limited, critically sampled imaging at 1.6 microns to ensure the best angular resolution for comparison to ACS. The galaxies are chosen to span a simple 4--fold parameter space of morphological and spectral type, in order to provide the most information about the variety of massive galaxy properties in this redshift range. We will investigate the emergence of large scale--length disks, stable spiral structure, mature bulges with red stellar populations, central bar structures, the incidence of disturbed morphology, the existence {or lack thereof} of blue ellipticals, and other questions that concern the evolution and maturation of the brightest, largest, and most massive ordinary galaxies in this critical redshift range. ACS/WFC/WFPC2 10138 Searching for the Bottom of the Initial Mass Function The minimum mass of the Initial Mass Function {IMF} should be a direct reflection of the physical processes that dominate in the formation of stars and brown dwarfs. To date, the IMF has been measured down to 10 M_Jup in a few young clusters; there is no sign of a low-mass cutoff in the data for these clusters. We propose to obtain deep images in the SDSS i and z filters {i=26, z=25} with the ACS/WFC on HST for a 800"x1000" field in the Chamaeleon I star-forming region {2 Myr, 160 pc}. By combining these HST data {0.8, 0.9 um} with comparably deep broad-band photometry from ground-based telescopes {1.2, 1.6, 2.2 um} and SIRTF {3.6, 4.5, 5.8, 8.0 um}, we will measure the mass function of brown dwarfs down to the mass of Jupiter and thus determine the lowest mass at which objects can form in isolation in a typical star forming cluster. 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. NIC2 10176 Coronagraphic Survey for Giant Planets Around Nearby Young Stars A systematic imaging search for extra-solar Jovian planets is now possible thanks to recent progress in identifying "young stars near Earth". For most of the proposed young {~ 30 Myrs} and nearby {~ 60 pc} targets, we can detect a few Jupiter-mass planets as close as a few tens of AUs from the primary stars. This represents the first time that potential analogs of our solar system - that is planetary systems with giant planets having semi-major axes comparable to those of the four giant planets of the Solar System - come within the grasp of existing instrumentation. Our proposed targets have not been observed for planets with the Hubble Space Telescope previously. Considering the very successful earlier NICMOS observations of low mass brown dwarfs and planetary disks among members of the TW Hydrae Association, a fair fraction of our targets should also turn out to posses low mass brown dwarfs, giant planets, or dusty planetary disks because our targets are similar to {or even better than} the TW Hydrae stars in terms of youth and proximity to Earth. Should HST time be awarded and planetary mass candidates be found, proper motion follow-up of candidate planets will be done with ground-based AOs. NIC3/WFPC2 10403 Ultraviolet Imaging of the UDF The Hubble Deep Field North has uninterrupted observations at wavelengths from Far- UV through NICMOS H-band, but the UDF goes no bluer than B-band. We propose to complete the UDF coverage with deep ultraviolet imaging of the Ultra-Deep Field {UDF} with the ACS-SBC in the Far-UV {1500 Angstrom} and WFPC2 in the Near-UV {F300W}. We will reach point source limits of ABmag=28.5, a factor of ten fainter than the GALEX ultradeep surveys. Our dataset will add to the value of the UDF legacy, and requires the unique capabilities of HST. In the spirit of the UDF, we submit this proposal in the Treasury category. We request a modest allocation of observing time for a Treasury program: 62 orbits. We will provide science quality images and photometric catalogs to enable a range of research topics by the community. The science goals of the team are to investigate the episode of strong star formation activity in galaxies out to z=1, through the rest-frame FUV luminosity function and the internal color structure of galaxies. Far-UV number counts suggest that moderate redshift {z~0.5} starbursts are undergoing a single, rapid burst of star-formation. We will investigate this result by measuring the faint-end slope, alpha, of the luminosity function. We will measure the star formation properties of moderate redshift starburst galaxies and compare their morphologies in the UV, optical, and near-IR. This catalog of starbursts will also be important to the astronomical community in correlating unobscured star-formation with the sources detected in the Spitzer Space Telescope legacy observations of the field. With the high spatial resolution data, will set strict limits on the flux escaping in intermediate redshift {1z2} galaxies at wavelengths below the rest-frame Lyman limit, and thus infer the contribution of star forming galaxies at z~5 to the metagalactic ionizing radiation. NICMOS 8791 NICMOS Post-SAA calibration - CR Persistence Part 2 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 COMPLETED OPS REQs: None OPS NOTES EXECUTED: None SCHEDULED SUCCESSFUL FAILURE TIMES FGS Gsacq 09 09 FGS Reacq 06 06 FHST Update 12 12 LOSS of LOCK SIGNIFICANT EVENTS: None |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
EVOLUTION DEAD AT AGE 126 -- R.I.P. | Ed Conrad | Astronomy Misc | 4 | August 21st 04 12:01 AM |
Monitoring NASA Daily ISS Report | JimO | Space Station | 2 | June 1st 04 10:33 PM |
Monitoring NASA Daily ISS Report | JimO | History | 2 | June 1st 04 10:33 PM |
JimO Speaks on 'Daily Planet' re Hubble | JimO | Policy | 0 | February 11th 04 10:53 PM |
Spirit's daily activities schedule? | Matti Anttila | Policy | 0 | January 15th 04 08:39 AM |