In-orbit Performance of COSTAR/GHRS/Side 1 as based on observations of R136a

Session 31 -- Massive Hot Stars
Display presentation, Tuesday, 31, 1994, 9:20-6:30

[31.05] In-orbit Performance of COSTAR/GHRS/Side 1 as based on observations of R136a

D.C. Ebbets, H.W. Garner (BASD), S.R. Heap, S.P. Maran (NASA/GSFC), E.M. Malumuth (CSC/GSFC), D.J. Lindler (ACC), J.B. Hutchings (DAO)

The HST First Servicing Mission in December, 1993 resulted in two improvements which have enhanced its capabilities for spectroscopic observations of massive hot stars. COSTAR eliminated the spherical aberration, so that stars in crowded fields (separation less than 1 arc second) may be studied individually. A "redundancy kit" installed by the astronauts has allowed the return to service of the short wavelength $(1150\AA < \lambda < 1750\AA)$ D1 detector of the GHRS, along with its low (G140L), medium (G140M) and high resolution (Echelle A) spectroscopic modes. These provide sensitive and powerful diagnostics of stellar continua, photospheric absorption lines, stellar wind profiles, circumstellar and interstellar absorption lines. The enhanced target acquisition and spectroscopic capabilities will be illustrated with new observations of R136 and several UV standard stars.

Tuesday program listing