Status Report

Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report #2633 05/30/00

By SpaceRef Editor
May 30, 2000
Filed under

HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE
 
  DAILY REPORT #2633
 
PERIOD COVERED:  0000Z (UTC) 05/26/00 – 0000Z (UTC) 05/30/00
 
Daily Status Report as of 151/0000Z
 
1.0 OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED AND ACCOMPLISHED:
 
    1.1 Completed Four Sets of STIS/CCD 8439 (Bias Monitor-Part 2 C8)
 
        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to monitor the bias in the 1×1, 1×2, 2×1, and 2×2 bin settings at gain=1, and 1×1 at gain = 4, to build up high-S/N superbiases and track the evolution of hot columns.  The proposal completed with no reported problems.
 
    1.2 Completed Eight Sets of WF/PC-2 8460 (Cycle 8 Supplemental Darks pt2/3)
 
        The WF/PC-2 was used to obtain three dark frames every day to provide data for monitoring and characterizing the evolution of hot pixels.  The observations completed with no reported problems.
 
    1.3 Completed Two Sets of WF/PC-2 8290 (Weather, Moons, and Orbit of the Brown Dwarf Gl 229B)
 
        The WF/PC-2 was used to make observations of the brown dwarf star HD42581 (a.k.a., GI 229B).  Gl 229B is the only unambiguous brown dwarf.  It can be imaged with high astrometric and photometric accuracy only by HST.  The observations were executed as scheduled, and no anomalies were noted.
 
    1.4 Completed Six Sets of STIS/CCD 8437 (Dark Monitor-Part 2 C8)
 
        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to monitor the darks.  The proposal completed nominally.
 
    1.5 Completed Nine Sets of STIS/CCD 8808 (POMS Test Proposal: STIS Non-Scripted Parallel Proposal Continuation III)
 
        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to make non-scripted, parallel observations as part of a POMS test proposal.  The observations completed with no anomalous activity.
 
    1.6 Completed WF/PC-2 8251 (The Second-Parameter Effect in Metal- Rich, Globular Clusters: A Snapshot Study of NGC 6441)
 
        The WF/PC-2 was used to observe the newly- discovered hot horizontal branch (HB) populations in the metal-rich globular cluster (GC) NGC 6441 providing an unique opportunity for unraveling the
second-parameter effect.  While it has long been known that at least one parameter besides the metallicity, Fe/H, determines the HB morphology of GCs, our ignorance as to the nature of this second parameter {or parameters} has been a major stumbling block in understanding the formation history and age of the GC system.  The proposal completed nominally with no reported problems.
 
    1.7 Completed WF/PC-2 7293 (Star Formation, Mass Distribution and Dark Matter in Galaxies at z ~ 0.6)
 
        The WF/PC-2 was used to: 1} to determine the strength and spatial distribution of star formation for galaxies in a distant clusters, and 2} to measure the rotation curves of a selected subsample of these galaxies, in order to determine their mass distribution and dark matter
properties.  The observations completed with no reported anomalies.
 
    1.8 Completed Three Sets of STIS/CCD 8796 (POMS Test Proposal: STIS Non-Scripted Parallel Proposal Continuation IV)
 
        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used in the parallel mode to make some low galactic latitude archive observations.  The observations were executed as scheduled, and no anomalies were noted.
 
    1.9 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1 8103 (A Global Picture of White Dwarfs in Cataclysmic Variables)
 
        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA1) was used to make ultraviolet spectrographic observations of the white dwarf star that is located in the cataclysmic variable star system known as SWA-UMA.  The observations were executed as scheduled, and no problems were reported.
 
    1.10 Completed Eight Sets of WF/PC-2 8805 (POMS Test Proposal: WFII Parallel Archive Proposal Continuation)
 
        The WF/PC-2 was used to perform a generic target version of the WFPC2 Archival Pure Parallel program.  The program will be used to take parallel images of random areas of the sky, following the recommendations of the Parallels Working.  The proposal completed with no reported problems.
 
    1.11 Completed STIS/CCD/MA2 8197 (Detection of ^11B/^10B: Part II)
 
        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA2) was used to make spectrographic observations of star HD94028 to measure the boron isotope ratio (i.e., 11B/10B).  A wavelength calibration image was also taken.  The observations were completed as planned, and no anomalies were reported.
 
    1.12 Completed Two Sets of STIS/CCD 8202 (Bright Quasar Close Lensing Search)
 
        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to make observations of HCLQ0841+3 as part of a second generation survey to search for bright lensing quasars.  With the restored PSF, new images will be considerably more sensitive to the presence of both close separation and faint lens components, and because STIS reaches two magnitudes fainter the PC, the new snapshot images will have much greater dynamic range.  The observations were executed as scheduled, and no anomalies were noted.
 
    1.13 Completed STIS/CCD 8227 (The Shock Cones and Underlying Stars in Interacting Wolf-Rayet Binaries)
 
        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to make observations of the interacting Wolf-Rayet binary star WR146.  This system is a strong radio emitter of non-thermal radiation.  A wavelength calibration image was also taken.  The observations were executed as scheduled, and no anomalies were noted.
 
    1.14 Completed STIS/CCD 8685 (Isolated Compact Stellar Systems In The Fornax Cluster)
 
        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to observe a new population of compact objects in the center of the Fornax Cluster.  These objects have spectra typical of old stellar systems, but are unresolved in ground- based imaging.  They are all at least 10 times more luminous than any Galactic globular clusters, but fainter than any known compact dwarf galaxies. They may be a new class of intermediate object, neither globular clusters nor dwarf galaxies but something in between.  The observations completed nominally.
 
    1.15 Completed Three Sets of STIS/CCD 8489 (Searching for the Hydrogen Reionization Edge of the Universe at 5HST)
 
        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to observe 36 parallel orbits {4–5 fields of 5–8 orbits each} to constrain the H Lyman-edge in emission that marks the transition from a neutral to a fully ionized IGM.  This edge is due to recombination from the H Lyman series and Lyman continuum, and can be used to constrain zion, one of the most important unknown quantities in large scale structure and cosmology.  The proposal completed nominally.
 
    1.16 Completed WF/PC-2 8200 (Globular Cluster Systems in Three Giant Coma Ellipticals)
 
        The WF/PC-2 was used to make observations of the giant Coma elliptical galaxy NGC-4889 in order to study its globular clusters.  What we know about the Coma ellipticals so far present serious challenges to virtually every one of the current formation scenarios for globular cluster systems.  The observations were executed as scheduled, and no anomalies were noted.
 
    1.17 Completed STIS/MA1/MA2 8201 (Ultra-luminous Infrared Galaxies)
 
        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (MA1 and MA2) was used to make ultraviolet observations of the ultra-luminous infrared galaxy IRAS15250.  Ultra-luminous Infrared Galaxies are the most luminous galaxies known in the local universe, and are predominantly powered by massive star formation.  The observations were executed as scheduled, and no anomalies were noted.
 
    1.18 Completed WF/PC-2 8303 (What is 52W036?)
 
        The WF/PC-2 was used to observe a most peculiar galaxy, 52W036, in the large, deep redshift survey of faint galaxies.  This galaxy, previously identified as a submillijansky radio source at z=0.24, is outstanding in almost every property.  Its combination of enormous size and luminosity, high surface- brightness, and very blue color do not compare to that of any other known galaxy.  In addition, its morphology changes dramatically from a horse-shoe shape in the ultra-violet to an apparent source pair in the near-infrared.  Over the past decade observers have given this particular object special attention in attempt to understand its bizarre nature.  At present, the reason for its unusual properties is still elusive. Possibilities include that it is a powerfully starbursting ring galaxy, a tidally interacting galaxy pair, or perhaps even a gravitational lens.  The observations completed with no reported problems.
 
    1.19 Completed WF/PC-2 8274 (A Size Survey of Cometary Nuclei)
 
        The WF/PC-2 was used to make observations of the comet Holmes as part of a size survey of cometary nuclei.  This is part of a program to determine the basic physical properties of a large fraction of the population of short-period comets.  The observations were completed as planned, and no anomalies were reported.
 
    1.20 Completed WF/PC-2 8338 (The Evolution of the Host Galaxies of Powerful Radio Sources)
 
        The WF/PC-2 was used to make observations of the host galaxy of the powerful radio source known as MRC2355-21.  A combined data set of radio galaxies and quasars will allow powerful tests of the relationship between radio galaxies and quasars and the evolution of the host galaxies of powerful radio sources over a wide range of look-back times.  The observations were executed as scheduled, and no anomalies were noted.
 
    1.21 Completed STIS/CCD 8511 (Full-field Sensitivity and Geometry)
 
        The Space Telescope Imaging Telescope (CCD) was used to measure the geometric distortion for each STIS detector, using the same field as previously used for measuring the MAMA geometric distortion in cycle 7.  These exposures will also serve to measure the image location for each of the MAMA imaging modes, with respect to the CCD frame, In order to fix the detector coordinates for the STIS MAMA imaging modes with respect to the CCD coordinates, and hence to the FGS system.  The proposal completed nominally.
 
    1.22 Completed Two Sets of WF/PC-2 8346 (Cosmological Parameters from Type Ia Supernovae at High Redshift)
 
        The WF/PC-2 was used to directly measure the cosmological parameters, Omega, Lambda, and thus the curvature, Omega_k, using Type Ia supernovae {SNe Ia} as calibrated standard candles.  Observations of SNe Ia spanning a large redshift range are key to decoupling Omega and Lambda.  The observations completed nominally.
 
    1.23 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1 8136 (Powering The Narrow Line Regions In Seyfert Galaxies – Are Radio Jets The Key?)
 
        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA1) was used to see whether the energetic importance of Seyfert radio jets has been underestimated and whether the jets may provide enough mechanical energy input to drive all the line emission in the Narrow Line Region via shocks, reducing or eliminating the role played by nuclear photoionising radiation.  For the
first time, we have imaged the underlying radio jet in NGC4151, with unprecedented angular resolution and here we propose matched resolution, spatially resolved, long slit spectroscopy, to search for shock signatures due to hot gas along the straight, fine jet.  The observations completed nominally.
 
    1.24 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1/MA2 8647 (Black Hole Accretion Outbursts In Soft X- Ray Transients)
 
        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD, MA1 and MA2) was used to make UV observations of soft X-ray transient {SXT} XTE-J1118. This is part of an extensive multiwavelength target of opportunity campaign to monitor newly discovered SXTs in outburst and throughout the subsequent decline.  Recent work establishes that a high proportion of SXTs harbor black holes, so these observations provide an unrivalled opportunity to obtain high quality data from an accreting black hole.  UV data is a keystone of this multiwavelength campaign because the disk regions of interest radiate predominantly in the UV.  Emission lines will give the ability to probe the kinematics of the inner disk region.  The relative strengths of the reprocessed X-ray flux emitted in the UV will be examined, and the UV flux generated by viscous heating in the accretion
flow.  Multiwavelength observations will probe the physics of the accretion flow throughout the outburst.  The observations will yield detailed quantitative tests of the models for SXT outbursts.  The new STIS/MAMA capability to perform UV spectroscopy with 125 microsecond time resolution will be exploited.  A proven HST/RXTE echo-mapping experiment will measure the size of the reprocessing regions in the accretion disk, and thus probe morphology changes as the decline proceeds.  It is unknown what rapid UV variability may be found.  Recent RXTE discoveries suggest this may prove a rich source of information on the dynamics close to the event horizon.  The observations completed with no reported problems.
 
    1.25 Completed STIS/CCD 8142 (Orientation and Extent of the Bipolar Outflow in Beta Lyrae)
 
        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to make use of two orthogonal orientations of the STIS spectrograph slit to verify the orientation of the bipolar outflow in the interacting binary system Beta Lyrae {HD174638}, and to investigate the extent of the outflow in four spectral regions of interest.  There were no reported problems.
 
    1.26 Completed WF/PC-2 8544 (POMS Test Proposal: WFII Backup Parallel Archive Proposal II)
 
        The WF/PC-2 was used to execute a POMS test proposal that was designed to simulate scientific plans.  No problems were encountered.
 
    1.27 Completed WF/PC-2 8118 (Snapshot Survey of Galactic Globular Clusters0
 
        The WF/PC-2 was used to make observations of crowded centers of globular clusters {GCs} which have produced intriguing discoveries of new phenomena, most of which are not understood theoretically. This is a continuation of a Cycle 7 snapshot proposal, to extend such work to a much larger portion of the Galactic GC system.  The observations completed nominally, with no reported problems.
 
    1.28 Completed WF/PC-2 8698 (Identification of the Galaxy’s Missing Mass)
 
        The WF/PC-2 was used to observe the nature of dark matter which is one of the key astrophysical questions of the day.  The existence of dark matter and its dynamical dominance in the outer parts of our Galaxy and spiral galaxies with flat rotation curves is well established.  The MACHO project has identified ~half of the Milky Way’s dark matter with stellar objects of ~0.5 M_sun, probably white dwarfs.  But the location of the microlensing in the halo is disputed.  Several have detected two candidate halo white dwarfs of L/L_sun ~ 10^-5 in the Hubble Deep Field with 25 +/- 5 mas/year proper motions.  The observations completed with no reported problems.
 
    1.29 Completed STIS/CCD 8260 (Searching for the Hydrogen Reionization Edge of the Universe at 5HST)
 
        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to observe one of 36 parallel orbits {4–5 fields of 5–8 orbits each} to constrain the H Lyman-edge in emission that marks the transition from a neutral to a fully ionized IGM at a predicted zion~eq5–15.  This edge is due to recombination from the H Lyman series and Lyman continuum, and can be used to constrain zion, one of the most important unknown quantities in large scale structure and cosmology.  The proposal completed nominally.
 
    1.30 Completed WF/PC-2 8230 (Snapshot Survey of Dynamically Close Galaxy Pairs from z=0.1 to z=0.5)
 
        The WF/PC-2 was used to make snapshot survey observations of galactic cluster Gal-Clus-0.  This is to obtain snapshot images of a large, well-defined, and dynamically selected sample of close galaxy pairs at moderate redshift.  The observations were executed as scheduled, and no anomalies were noted.
 
    1.31 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1/MA2 8265 (Reverberation Mapping of a Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 Galaxy)
 
        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD, MA1 and MA2) was used to monitor the UV spectral variability of the narrow-line Seyfert 1 {NLS1} galaxy AKN 564 at 46 epochs in order to measure the size of the broad emission-line region via reverberation-mapping techniques.  This measurement, and the virial mass estimate that follows from it, will provide a key test of NLS1 models and help determine the physical mechanism that underlies the principal component of AGN spectra, the Boroson–Green primary eigenvector.  These observations will be undertaken in parallel with X-ray and ground-based optical observations that will allow us for the first time to explore the multiwavelength variability characteristics of this important subclass of active galactic nuclei.  The observations completed with no reported problems.
 
    1.32 Completed Three Sets of WF/PC-2 8442 (Cycle 8 Standard Darks)
 
        The WF/PC-2 was used to obtain dark calibration dark frames every week in order to provide data for the ongoing calibration of the CCD dark current rate, and to monitor and characterize the evolution of hot pixels.  Over an extended period these data will also provide a monitor of radiation damage to the CCDs.  The proposal completed with no reported anomalies.
 
    1.33 Completed Two Sets of STIS/MA1 8426 (Cycle 8 MAMA Dark Measurements)
 
        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (MA1) was used to make a routine Cycle-8 MAMA dark noise calibration measurement.  This proposal will provide the primary means of checking on the health of the MAMA detectors.  This is done through frequent monitoring of the background count rate.  The observations were completed as planned, and no problems were reported.
 
    1.34 Completed STIS/MA2 8433 (Angle Corrections for MAMA)
 
        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (MA2) was used to run a test in order to provide incidence angle corrections for MAMA observations using non-concentric slits.  The proposal completed with no reported problems.
 
2.0 FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUMMARY:
 
    2.1 Guide Star Acquisitions:
      Scheduled Acquisitions: 28
Successful: 28
 
  Scheduled Re-acquisitions: 32
Successful: 32
 
    2.2 FHST Updates:
Scheduled: 65
Successful: 65
 
    2.3 Operations Notes:
 
        Using ROP SR-1A, the SSR EDAC error counter was cleared four times.
 
        The STIS MCE-1 reset at 147/120048Z while the low voltage was on and while in an SAA interval.  At the same time, a STIS 557 status buffer message was issued, followed by a STIS 734 message.  This indicates that one of the voltage ramping routines had detected that a MAMA-1 ramp was in progress and the MAMA-1 high voltage was off.  HSTAR 7615 was written.  The STIS flight software error counter was cleared at 147/1201Z using ROP NS-12.  MAMA-1 was recovered at 147/1202Z via normal SMS commanding.  No observations were lost.
 
        The STIS MCE-1 reset again at 147/184212Z while the high voltage was on and while outside any SAA interval.  Again, no observations were lost.  The STIS flight software error counter was reset via ROP NS-12 commanding.  MAMA-1 was recovered at 148/1550Z, the time of the next high voltage on commanding in the SMS.
 
        The STIS EMC reset at 147/184849Z.  The STIS flight software error counter was reset using the commanding in ROP NS-12.
 
        CCS strings "C" and "G" successfully passed a command and NCC check that was performed from 148/0715Z until 148/0815Z.
 
        The STIS EMC reset again at 150/1035Z.  Using ROP NS-12, the STIS flight software error counter was reset at 150/1143Z.
 
        CCS string "C" was used for commanding from 150/1727Z until 150/2110Z.
 
        The STIS MCE-1 reset at 151/035536Z while the low voltage was on and while in an SAA interval.  The STIS flight software error counter was cleared at 151/0405Z as directed by ROP NS-12.  MAMA-1 was recovered via SMS commanding at 151/1003Z.
 
3.0 SIGNIFICANT FORTHCOMING EVENTS:
 
        Continuation of normal science observations and calibrations.

SpaceRef staff editor.