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Daily # 4183



 
 
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Old August 23rd 06, 06:52 PM posted to sci.astro.hubble
Joe Cooper
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Default Daily # 4183

HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE - Continuing to collect World Class Science

DAILY REPORT # 4183

PERIOD COVERED: UT August 22, 2006 (DOY 234)

OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED

ACS/HRC/WFC 10896

An Efficient ACS Coronagraphic Survey for Debris Disks around Nearby
Stars

We propose to finish our Cycle 11 optical survey for nearby debris
disks using the ACS/HRC coronagraph. Out of 43 orbits originally
proposed for the survey, 23 orbits were allocated, leading to a survey
of 22 stars, from which two new debris disks were imaged for the first
time. Our analysis of the initial survey gives an empirical estimate
for the detection rate of debris disks relative to heliocentric
distance and dust optical depth. Our target list for Cycle 15 is now
optimized to yield more frequent disk detections. Likewise our
observing strategy is improved to maximize sensitivity per telescope
orbit allocated. Therefore we present the most efficient survey
possible. The scientific motivation is to obtain scattered light
images of previously unresolved debris disks to determine their
viewing geometry and physical architecture, both of which may
characterize the underlying planetary system. We choose 25 debris disk
targets for which we predict a detection rate of 25% ? 5%. Four
targets have extrasolar planets from which the viewing geometry
revealed by a disk detection will resolve the v sin{i} ambiguity in
the planet masses. These targets present the remarkable opportunity of
finally seeing a debris disk in system with known planets.

ACS/SBC 10739

Internal Flat Field Stability

The stability of the CCD flat fields will be monitored using the
calibration lamps and a sub-sample of the filter set. For the SBC
imaging filters, differences in the low-frequency flat field structure
with wavelength will be assessed. New high signal P-flats will be
obtained for the SBC prisms.

ACS/WFC 10421

Searching for Ancient Mergers in Early Type Host Galaxies of Classical
QSOs

Recent HST imaging of QSO host galaxies indicates that at least a
large fraction of QSOs reside in seemingly undisturbed elliptical
hosts. However, our deep Keck spectroscopy of a sample of these host
galaxies indicates that many of these objects were involved in a major
starburst episode between 0.6 and 1.6 Gyr ago. We propose to obtain
very deep ACS WFC observations of the five hosts in this sample that
have the most reliable age determinations to search for fine structure
indicative of a past merger event and to test the hypothesis that the
elliptical hosts are the products of relatively recent merger events
rather than old galaxies which formed at high redshifts. By
establishing a firm connection between ancient mergers and the aging
starbursts in these classical QSOs, we will be able to estimate the
fraction of the total QSO population that results directly from
mergers accompanied by massive starbursts and to place constraints on
the duty cycle for QSO activity.

ACS/WFC 10595

A Reference Database for Accurate Ages and Metallicities of Globular
Clusters in the Magellanic Clouds

We propose to finalize the compilation of a comprehensive database of
high-quality ages and metallicities of Simple Stellar Populations
{SSPs} in the Milky Way and the Magellanic Clouds. We will acquire new
ACS imagery for 8 young and intermediate-age globular clusters in the
Magellanic Clouds to create high-quality color-magnitude diagrams
{CMDs} to enable accurate measurements of their ages and
metallicities. In concert with a similar analysis of CMD data already
available in the HST archive for 8 more such GCs, the resulting
database will provide a well-sampled coverage of the full range of
ages and metallicities known among globular clusters {0.5 = Age {Gyr}
= 13.5 and -2.3 = [Fe/H] = +0.1, respectively}. This database will
form the crucial basis for our ongoing, comprehensive multi-wavelength
program to: {1} establish empirical relations among SSP colors {from
the UV [GALEX] through the mid-IR [Spitzer]}, line strengths, ages and
metallicities, and {2} provide a stringent test of the systemic
accuracy of age and metallicity determinations using state-of-the-art
population synthesis models.

ACS/WFC/WFPC2 10558

Archaeology of Fossil Galaxy Groups

Fossil groups are concentrations of dark matter with masses and x-ray
luminosities comparable to those of an entire group of galaxies, but
whose light is dominated by a single, isolated, large elliptical
galaxy. The origin of these systems remains a puzzle: they may be the
end products of complete merging of galaxies within once normal
groups, or they might originate from a very unusual galaxy luminosity
function in those regions that inhibits the formation of
moderate-sized galaxies. We propose the first study of the globular
cluster populations of the dominant elliptical galaxies in fossil
galaxy groups, which will provide important new insights into their
origin.

FGS 10989

Astrometric Masses of Extrasolar Planets and Brown Dwarfs

We propose observations with HST/FGS to estimate the astrometric
elements {perturbation orbit semi-major axis and inclination} of
extra-solar planets orbiting six stars. These companions were
originally detected by radial velocity techniques. We have
demonstrated that FGS astrometry of even a short segment of reflex
motion, when combined with extensive radial velocity information, can
yield useful inclination information {McArthur et al. 2004}, allowing
us to determine companion masses. Extrasolar planet masses assist in
two ongoing research frontiers. First, they provide useful boundary
conditions for models of planetary formation and evolution of
planetary systems. Second, knowing that a star in fact has a plantary
mass companion, increases the value of that system to future
extrasolar planet observation missions such as SIM PlanetQuest, TPF,
and GAIA.

WFPC2 10744

WFPC2 Cycle 14 Decontaminations and Associated Observations

This proposal is for the WFPC2 decons. Also included are instrument
monitors tied to decons: photometric stability check, focus monitor,
pre- and post-decon internals {bias, intflats, kspots, & darks}, UV
throughput check, VISFLAT sweep, and internal UV flat check.

FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUMMARY:

Significant Spacecraft Anomalies: (The following are preliminary
reports of potential non-nominal performance that will be
investigated.)

HSTARS:

10408 GSAcq(1,2,1) requires two attempts to achieve CT-DV @
230/05:33:42z

GSAcq(1,2,1),required two attempts to achieve CT-DV on FGS1. The
acquisition was succesful.

COMPLETED OPS REQUEST:

17898-0 Battery 4 Capacity Test Script & 5 Battery Pressure Limit COP (Thru
step 18)

COMPLETED OPS NOTES: (None)

SCHEDULED SUCCESSFUL
FGS GSacq 07 07
FGS REacq 07 07
OBAD with Maneuver 28 28

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

Battery 4 Capacity Test Flash Report #1

Commanding for the Battery 4 Capacity Test started as scheduled on DOY
234/1411 GMT (08/22 at 10:11 am) with setting the Battery Pressure
Test for a 5-battery system. Battery 4 was taken off-line and started
discharging on the first opportunity at 1503 GMT (11:03 am). The
discharge is expected to continue for approximately 48 hours with the
switch from high-rate to the low-rate discharge resistor occurring
Tuesday evening. Following completion of the discharge. Battery 4 will
be placed back online in hardware during orbit night. Following its
recovery period, Battery 4 will be placed back on-line in FSW.

Battery 4 Capacity Test Flash Report #2

At approximately DOY 2006/235 00:41 GMT (08/22/06 at 8:41 pm local),
the battery 4 discharge transitioned from the high rate resistor to
the low rate resistor. The discharge continues nominally with battery
temperatures cycling below 5 DegC.

 




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