Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report #2639 06/07/00

HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE
 
  DAILY REPORT #2639
 
PERIOD COVERED:  0000Z (UTC) 06/06/00 – 0000Z (UTC) 06/07/00
 
Daily Status Report as of 159/0000Z
 
1.0 OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED AND ACCOMPLISHED:
 
    1.1 Completed 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 Two 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.
 
    1.3 Completed Three 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.
 
    1.4 Completed STIS/CCD 8411 (STIS CCD Spectroscopic Flats C-8)
 
        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to obtain CCD flats in the spectroscopic mode.  The observations were completed as scheduled, and no anomalies were reported.
 
    1.5 Completed WF/PC-2 8645 (A Survey of Mid-UV Morphology of Nearby Galaxies: Galaxy Structure and Faint Galaxy)
 
        The WF/PC-2 was used to investigate the relation between star formation and the global physical characteristics of galaxies to interpret the morphologies of distant galaxies in terms of their evolutionary status.  The observations completed nominally.
 
    1.6 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1 8139 (Probing an Ancient Thermonuclear Runaway on a White Dwarf in a Dwarf Nova)
 
        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA1) was used to probe the ancient thermonuclear runaway on a white dwarf.  Evidence was unexpectedly discovered, based upon two GHRS G160M spectra, of greatly elevated abundances of odd-numbered nuclei Phosphorus and Aluminum, as well as a Nitrogen-to-Carbon ratio of 10 in the photosphere of the white dwarf in the dwarf nova CENTRE-VW.  This proposal intends to {1} determine the first chemical abundances of many odd-numbered proton capture species; {2} determine a accurate mass for the white dwarf and; {3} probe changes in the accretion belt and surface abundances as a function of time since a superoutburst.  The proposal completed nominally.
 
    1.7 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1/MA2 8426 (Cycle 8 MAMA Dark Measurements)
 
        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD, MA1 and MA2) 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.
 
    1.8 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1/MA2 8424 (MAMA Sensitivity and Focus Monitor C8)
 
        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD, MA1 and MA2) was used to make observations of object GRW+70D582 in order to measure the sensitivity and to focus monitor C8.  This also is to monitor sensitivity of each MAMA grating mode to detect any change due to contamination or other causes, and to monitor the STIS focus in a spectroscopic mode.  A wavelength calibration was also taken.  The observations were completed as planned, and no anomalies were reported.
 
    1.9 Completed Two Sets of STIS/CCD/MA2 8150 (The Metallicity and Dust Content of HVC Complex C)
 
        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA2) was used to make spectrographic observations of the metallicity and dust content of the High Velocity Cloud (HVC) Complex C located in Seyfert galaxy
MARK290.  These observations will provide important zero-redshift abundance information for the study of gas and dust in damped Lyman-Alpha systems.  A wavelength calibration image was also taken.  The observations were executed as scheduled, and no anomalies were noted.
 
    1.10 Completed 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 WF/PC-2 8301 (A Snapshot Survey of X-ray Selected Central Cluster Galaxies)
 
        The WF/PC-2 was used to make snapshot survey observations of the x-ray, central cluster galaxy A2204.  Central cluster galaxies are the most massive stellar systems known and have been used as standard candles for many decades.  The observations were executed as scheduled, and no anomalies were noted.
 
    1.12 Completed WF/PC-2 8669 (Merger-Driven Evolution Of Galactic Nuclei: Observations Of The Toomre Sequence)
 
        The WF/PC-2 was used to observe galaxy mergers which are believed responsible for triggering starburst and AGN activity in galaxies, and even perhaps transforming spiral galaxies into ellipticals.
 
    1.13 Completed 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.
 
    1.14 Completed 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.
 
    1.15 Completed STIS/CCD 8231 (Determination Of The Radius Of Comet 19P/Borrelly In Support Of The NMP DS1 Flyby)
 
        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to observe Comet 19P/Borrelly which is the ultimate target of the New Mellinium Program {NMP} Deep Space 1 asteroid-comet flyby mission.  The size of this comet’s nucleus is a critical parameter needed for flyby planning activities.  However, 19P/Borrelly’s radius is not well established.  The observations completed nominally.
 
2.0 FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUMMARY:
 
    2.1 Guide Star Acquisitions:
      Scheduled Acquisitions: 7
Successful: 7
 
  Scheduled Re-acquisitions: 8
Successful: 8
 
    2.2 FHST Updates:
Scheduled: 15
Successful: 15
 
    2.3 Operations Notes:
 
        Using ROP SR-1A, the SSR EDAC error counter was cleared once.
 
        At 158/1125Z, the STIS flight software error counter was reset as directed by ROP NS-12.
 
3.0 SIGNIFICANT FORTHCOMING EVENTS:
 
        Continuation of normal science observations and calibrations.