Assigned ID: 898 ----- Attempting Submission 1 (Sat Feb 27 00:24:11 GMT 2010) ----- HST Phase I Proposal 898 (dhines_AR.apt) successfully submitted. ----- Attempting Submission 2 (Sat Feb 27 00:44:06 GMT 2010) ----- We propose a complete, rigorous, and systematically complete and consistent recalibration of all raw NICMOS polarimetric science imaging data in the MAST archive to enable science deferred or unachieved by many diverse approved investigation teams. The NICMOS instrument intrinsically provides powerful, and unique polarimetry capabilities that are not possible with ground-based instrumentation, and will not be replicated by any space-based facility in the foreseeable future (e.g., none of the JWST instruments have polarimetric capabilities). Knowing this, HST TACs have wisely allocated significant numbers of orbits to NICMOS polarimetry programs over the past decade. However, various issues with ground data processing and calibration (not the raw data themselves), especially in those data acquired in the pre-NCS era that represent the majority of near-IR polarimetry programs attempted, have impeded these various investigators in analyzing and interpreting these otherwise valuable data sets. Here, as a service to the astronomical community at large, we propose to remedy this situation and enable the recovery of science until now lost by a rigorous re-calibration of all archived raw NICMOS polarimetric data from which we will create high-level analysis-quality data sets (e.g., Stokes images, polarization maps, polarized and total intensity mages) with quantitative error estimation to return and enter into the MAST for public dissemination. These value-added data products will not only assist investigators to meet and complete their initial science goals, but will enable new science that was not anticipated previously. By our undertaking this activity, we will enable the full potential of NICMOS polarimetric data acquired over the past decade to be realized through the creation of a rich polarimetric legacy data set to be publically disseminative through the MAST.

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