Stephen James Hulbert

The On-Orbit Performance of the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph

The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) was successfully installed into the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) in 1997 February, during the second HST servicing mission, STS-82. STIS is a versatile spectrograph, covering the 115-1000 nm wavelength range in a variety of spectroscopic and imaging modes that take advantage of the angular resolution, unobstructed wavelength coverage, and dark sky offered by the HST. In the months since launch, a number of performance tests and calibrations have been carried out and are continuing. These tests demonstrate that the instrument is performing very well. We present here a synopsis of the results to date.

First Results from the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph: Optical Spectra of Gliese 229B

We report the firstHubble Space TelescopeSpace Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) CCD spectroscopy of the bona fide brown dwarf Gliese 229B. The optical spectrum shows absorptions of Csi at 8944 Aand water vapor bands at 9300-9600 A ˚. Strong CaH, FeH, TiO, and VO bands observed in late M dwarfs are absent from the spectrum of Gliese 229B. The formation of dust grains may explain the absence of strong atomic lines and molecular bands of these refractory elements. The broad spectral coverage obtained helps resolve current spec- ulations about the presence of dust clouds in the atmosphere of cool brown dwarfs. We find the slope of the STIS/CCD spectrum and the lack of flux detected shortward of 8000 Astrongly supports the presence of dust hazes suspended in the photosphere of Gl 229B rather than a complete settling of the grains to regions below the photosphere. Subject headings: binaries: general — stars: individual (Gl 229B) — stars: low-mass, brown dwarfs

Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph Observations of the Interstellar Velocity Structure and Chemical Composition toward the Carina Nebula

We have observed the O-type star CPD -59°2603 in the Carina Nebula with the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph near-UV and far-UV high-resolution echelles, at a resolving power of ~110,000 (FWHM) and S/N ~ 30. This sight line has complex velocity and excitation structure in the interstellar absorption lines, corresponding to three distinct regions: very high velocity components formed within the nebula; a warm, expanding H II region; and cool, low-velocity gas near the Sun. The Mg I and Mg II profiles show many components, with velocities extending from -235 to +123 km s-1. We have derived physical conditions in the expanding H II region from the Si IV doublet and the excited fine-structure lines of C I. Heavy elements (O, Ni, Cu, Ga) are present in the low-velocity gas, and their abundances indicate depletions consistent with nearby, cool diffuse clouds.12CO is detected in just one low-velocity component, suggesting different amounts of processing among the clouds near the Sun.