Calibration of the Hubble Space Telescope polarimetric modesStellar and galactic polarimetry from space is an unexplored observational regime and one which holds exciting promise for answering many fundamental astrophysical questions. The Hubble Space Telescope will be the first space observatory to provide a variety of polarimetric modes to astronomers including spectral, imaging, and single-aperture UV polarimetry. As part of the calibration program for these modes, the Space Telescope Science Institute has initiated a ground-based program to define faint standard fields and solicited community support to establish a temporal baseline for these potential standard targets. In this paper, the polarimetric capabilities of the Hubble Space Telescope, the philosophy and complications of in-flight calibration, and the status and direction of the standard targets program are discussed.
Document ID
19900028728
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Lupie, O. L. (Space Telescope Science Inst. Baltimore, MD, United States)
Stockman, H. S. (Space Telescope Science Institute Baltimore, MD, United States)