The temporal optical behavior of the Hubble Space Telescope: the impact on science observations

Makidon, Russell B.; Lallo, Matthew; Casertano, Stefano; Sirianni, M.; Krist, John

doi:10.1117/12.671604

Cited by 11 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Characterizing and addressing this focus variability's specific effects on the PSFs at a given SI is important to the most accurate analyses of particularly sensitive science data, e.g. [61][62] [63].…”

Section: Opticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experience with the Hubble Space Telescope: 20 years of an archetype

Lallo

2012

Opt. Eng

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Abstract:The Hubble Space Telescope's mission is summarized, with special emphasis placed on the Space Telescope Science Institute's unique experience with Hubble's behavior as an astronomical telescope in the environment of low earth orbit for over two decades. Historical context and background are given, and the project's early scientific expectations are described. A general overview of the spacecraft is followed by a more detailed look at the optical design, both as intended and as built. Basic characteristics of the complete complement of Science Instruments are also summarized. Next our experience with the telescope on-orbit is reviewed, starting with the major initial problems, the solutions, the human servicing missions, and the associated expansion of the observatory's capabilities over this time. Specific attention is then given to our understanding of Hubble's optical quality and pointing/jitter performance, two fundamental characteristics of a telescope. Experience with-and the important mitigation ofradiation damage and contamination is also related. Beyond the telescope itself, we briefly discuss the advances in data reduction, calibration, and observing techniques, as well as the subsequent emergence of highly accessible high-level archival science products. The paper concludes with Hubble's scientific impact.

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Section: Opticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experience with the Hubble Space Telescope: 20 years of an archetype

Lallo

2012

Opt. Eng

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“…Furthermore, the reductions now include a breathing correction-that is, an exposure by exposure correction for variation in focus of HST caused by orbital temperature variations (Makidon et al 2006). We remove that variation's effect on our aperture photometry, with an exposure by exposure normalization factor derived from the breathing induced variation in the mean brightness of a large number of red giant branch stars at ∼HB brightness.…”

Section: Observations and Data Reductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

HST/ACS OBSERVATIONS OF RR LYRAE STARS IN SIX ULTRA-DEEP FIELDS OF M31

Jeffery

Smith

Brown

et al. 2011

The Astronomical Journal

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We present HST/ACS observations of RR Lyrae variable stars in six ultra-deep fields of the Andromeda galaxy (M31), including parts of the halo, disk, and giant stellar stream. Past work on the RR Lyrae stars in M31 has focused on various aspects of the stellar populations that make up the galaxy's halo, including their distances and metallicities. This study builds upon this previous work by increasing the spatial coverage (something that has been lacking in previous studies) and by searching for these variable stars in constituents of the galaxy not yet explored. Besides the 55 RR Lyrae stars we found in our initial field located 11 kpc from the galactic nucleus, we find additional RR Lyrae stars in four of the remaining five ultra-deep fields as follows: 21 in the disk, 24 in the giant stellar stream, three in the halo field 21 kpc from the galactic nucleus, and five in one of the halo fields at 35 kpc. No RR Lyrae stars were found in the second halo field at 35 kpc. The RR Lyrae populations of these fields appear to be mostly of Oosterhoff I type, although the 11 kpc field appears to be intermediate or mixed. We will discuss the properties of these stars including period and reddening distributions. We calculate metallicities and distances for the stars in each of these fields using different methods and compare the results, to an extent that has not yet been done. We compare these methods not just on RR Lyrae stars in our M31 fields, but also on a data set of Milky Way field RR Lyrae stars.

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“…Despite being in space, HST experiences time-and-attitude-dependent aberration changes 4,5 . Since being placed in orbit, the telescope has desorbed water from its graphite epoxy truss, causing it to shrink exponentially over time by about 150 microns.…”

Section: Defocusmentioning

confidence: 99%

20 years of Hubble Space Telescope optical modeling using Tiny Tim

Krist¹,

Hook²,

Stoehr³

2011

SPIE Proceedings

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360

184

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Point spread function (PSF) models are critical to Hubble Space Telescope (HST) data analysis. Astronomers unfamiliar with optical simulation techniques need access to PSF models that properly match the conditions of their observations, so any HST modeling software needs to be both easy-to-use and have detailed information on the telescope and instruments. The Tiny Tim PSF simulation software package has been the standard HST modeling software since its release in early 1992. We discuss the evolution of Tiny Tim over the years as new instruments and optical properties have been incorporated. We also demonstrate how Tiny Tim PSF models have been used for HST data analysis. Tiny Tim is freely available from tinytim.stsci.edu.

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The temporal optical behavior of the Hubble Space Telescope: the impact on science observations

Cited by 11 publications

References 17 publications

Experience with the Hubble Space Telescope: 20 years of an archetype

Experience with the Hubble Space Telescope: 20 years of an archetype

HST/ACS OBSERVATIONS OF RR LYRAE STARS IN SIX ULTRA-DEEP FIELDS OF M31

20 years of Hubble Space Telescope optical modeling using Tiny Tim

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