Daily Report #4672

HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE - Continuing to collect World Class Science

DAILY REPORT****** #4672

PERIOD COVERED: 5am August 11 - 5am August 12, 2008 (DOY
224/0900z-225/0900z)

OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED

NIC1 11117

The Search for Atmospheric Water in the Transiting Planet HD189733b

We propose to use the NICMOS camera to search for transit NIR
signatures of atmospheric water in HD189733b. While water absorption
bands exist in the optical and IR, space-based NIR signatures are
uniquely positioned to offer the best chance at detection. Using
narrow band photometric filters, we will be able to detect absorption
signatures while the planet is in primary transit. A positive
detection would be the first proof of water on an extrasolar planet.
Furthermore, it would provide invaluable planetary information,
constraining the entire chemistry. As a byproduct of the high SNR
required for our primary science goal, we will be able to improve on
the value of the planetary radius, a result independent of our primary
science objective. The accurate radius estimate, together with planet
structure models, will allow constraining the planet interior and its
relationship with formation models and stellar metallicity.

NIC1/NIC2/NIC3 11330

NICMOS Cycle 16 Extended Dark

This takes a series of Darks in parallel to other instruments.

NIC1/NIC2/NIC3 8795

NICMOS Post-SAA Calibration - CR Persistence Part 6

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 11548

NICMOS Imaging of Protostars in the Orion A Cloud: The Role of
Environment in Star Formation

We propose NICMOS observations of a sample of 252 protostars
identified in the Orion A cloud with the Spitzer Space Telescope.
These observations will image the scattered light escaping the
protostellar envelopes, providing information on the shapes of outflow
cavities, the inclinations of the protostars, and the overall
morphologies of the envelopes. In addition, we ask for Spitzer time to
obtain 55-95 micron spectra of 75 of the protostars. Combining these
new data with existing 3.6 to 70 micron photometry and forthcoming
5-40 micron spectra measured with the Spitzer Space Telescope, we will
determine the physical properties of the protostars such as envelope
density, luminosity, infall rate, and outflow cavity opening angle. By
examining how these properties vary with stellar density (i.e.
clusters vs groups vs isolation) and the properties of the surrounding
molecular cloud; we can directly measure how the surrounding
environment influences protostellar evolution, and consequently, the
formation of stars and planetary systems. Ultimately, this data will
guide the development of a theory of protostellar evolution.

WFPC2 11235

HST NICMOS Survey of the Nuclear Regions of Luminous Infrared Galaxies
in the Local Universe

At luminosities above 10^11.4 L_sun, the space density of far-infrared
selected galaxies exceeds that of optically selected galaxies. These
`luminous infrared galaxies' {LIRGs} are primarily interacting or
merging disk galaxies undergoing enhanced star formation and Active
Galactic Nuclei {AGN} activity, possibly triggered as the objects
transform into massive S0 and elliptical merger remnants. We propose
NICMOS NIC2 imaging of the nuclear regions of a complete sample of 88
L_IR 10^11.4 L_sun luminous infrared galaxies in the IRAS Revised
Bright Galaxy Sample {RBGS: i.e., 60 micron flux density 5.24 Jy}.
This sample is ideal not only in its completeness and sample size, but
also in the proximity and brightness of the galaxies. The superb
sensitivity and resolution of NICMOS NIC2 on HST enables a unique
opportunity to study the detailed structure of the nuclear regions,
where dust obscuration may mask star clusters, AGN and additional
nuclei from optical view, with a resolution significantly higher than
possible with Spitzer IRAC. This survey thus provides a crucial
component to our study of the dynamics and evolution of IR galaxies
presently underway with Wide-Field, HST ACS/WFC and Spitzer IRAC
observations of these 88 galaxies. Imaging will be done with the F160W
filter {H-band} to examine as a function of both luminosity and merger
stage {i} the luminosity and distribution of embedded star clusters,
{ii} the presence of optically obscured AGN and nuclei, {iii} the
correlation between the distribution of 1.6 micron emission and the
mid-IR emission as detected by Spitzer IRAC, {iv} the evidence of bars
or bridges that may funnel fuel into the nuclear region, and {v} the
ages of star clusters for which photometry is available via ACS/WFC
observations. The NICMOS data, combined with the HST ACS, Spitzer, and
GALEX observations of this sample, will result in the most
comprehensive study of merging and interacting galaxies to date.

WFPC2 11302

WFPC2 CYCLE 16 Standard Darks - Part III

This dark calibration program obtains dark frames every week in order
to provide data for the ongoing calibration of the CCD dark current
rate, and to monitor and characterize the evolution of hot pixels.
Over an extended period these data will also provide a monitor of
radiation damage to the CCDs.

WFPC2 11793

WFPC2 Cycle 16 Internal Monitor

This calibration proposal is the Cycle 15 routine internal monitor for
WFPC2, to be run weekly to monitor the health of the cameras. A
variety of internal exposures are obtained in order to provide a
monitor of the integrity of the CCD camera electronics in both bays
(both gain 7 and gain 15 -- to test stability of gains and bias
levels), a test for quantum efficiency in the CCDs, and a monitor for
possible buildup of contaminants on the CCD windows. These also
provide raw data for generating annual super-bias reference files for
the calibration pipeline.

WFPC2 11797

Supplemental WFPC2 CYCLE 16 Intflat Linearity Check and Filter
Rotation Anomaly Monitor

Supplemental observations to 11029, to cover period from Aug 08 to
SM4. Intflat observations will be taken to provide a linearity check:
the linearity test consists of a series of intflats in F555W, in each
gain and each shutter. A combination of intflats, visflats, and
earthflats will be used to check the repeatability of filter wheel
motions. (Intflat sequences tied to decons, visits 1-18 in prop 10363,
have been moved to the cycle 15 decon proposal 11022 for easier
scheduling.)

Note: long-exposure WFPC2 intflats must be scheduled during ACS
anneals to prevent stray light from the WFPC2 lamps from contaminating
long ACS external exposures.

Note: These are supplemental observations to cover June to SM4 (oct 8
'08) + 6 months.

FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUMMARY:

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

HSTARS:

11432 - GSAcq(1,3,3) Failed Search Radius Limit exceeded on FGS 3

Upon acquisition of signal at 224/22:28:06 a 486 ESB message "A07"
("FGS Coarse Track failed - Time out waiting for Data Valid") was
observed along with QF3SRLEX, QF3STOPF, QSRCHEXC and QSTOP flags set.
GSACQ(1,3,3) at 224/21:20:07 failed while vehicle was LOS. #44
commands did not update from previous values before loss of signal.

Observations affected: NICMOS 74 to 77, proposals 11548, 08795.

11433 - GSAcq(2,1,2) failed to RGA control due to Search Radius Limit
exceeded

GSacq(2,1,2) scheduled at 225/02:11:49 failed during LOS due to search
radius limit exceeded on FGS 1. At acquisition of signal 225/02:38:00
a ESB message "a05" (Exceeded SRL) was observed.
QF1SRLEX,QF1STOPF,QSRCHEXC,and QSTOP flags were set.

Observations affected: NIC 85 ID#08795, NIC 86-88 ID#11548

11434 - GSAcq(2,3,2) failed due to Scan Step Limit Exceeded

During LOS GSacq(2,3,2) scheduled at 225/05:41:27 failed due to scan
step limit exceeded on FGS 2. Upon acquisition of signal 225/06:42:35
flags QF2SSLEX, Q2STOPF,QSTEPEXC, and QSTOP were set indicating the
GSacq failed to RGA control.

Observations affected: NIC 90 - 91 Proposal ID#11320

11435 - GSAcq(2,1,1) failed Scan Step Limit Exceeded on FGS 2

GSacq(2,1,1) scheduled at 225/06:50:46 failed at 225/06:54:19 due to
scan step limit exceeded on FGS 2. OBAD1 showed errors of V1=-3.90,
V2=-0.77, V3=7.39, and RSS=8.39.

Observations affected: ACS 2 proposal ID# 11151, NIC 92-94 Proposal
ID#11330

COMPLETED OPS REQUEST: (None)

COMPLETED OPS NOTES: (None)

************************ SCHEDULED***** SUCCESSFUL

FGS GSacq*************** 11****************** 07
FGS REacq*************** 04****************** 04
OBAD with Maneuver* **** 26****************** 26

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS: (None)