Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report #2645 06/15/00
HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE
DAILY REPORT #2645
PERIOD COVERED: 0000Z (UTC) 06/14/00 – 0000Z (UTC) 06/15/00
Daily Status Report as of 167/0000Z
1.0 OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED AND ACCOMPLISHED:
1.1 Completed STIS/CCD 8202 (Bright Quasar Close Lensing Search)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to make observations of HCLQ1348+2 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.
1.2 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.
1.3 Completed STIS/MA1 8311 (Moderate Redshift Analogs To Lyman-Break Galaxies?)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (MA1) was used to determine whether high luminosity galaxies selected using rest ultraviolet luminosity at low-to-moderate redshift {0.2<z<0.7, UV-selected Bright Galaxies are related to Lyman-Break galaxies at high redshift {3<z<5} selected by the drop-out technique. As described in yesterday’s report and HSTAR 7668, a re-acquisition during this proposal failed, affecting four observations when the take data flag remained down. Otherwise, the observations completed with no further reported problems.
1.4 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.
1.5 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. As noted in yesterday’s report and HSTAR 7670, the acquisition for this proposal defaulted to fine lock backup on one FGS only, possibly affecting three
observations. Otherwise, the observations completed with no further reported problems.
1.6 Completed Two Sets of WF/PC-2 8459 (Decontaminations and Associated Observations Pt. 2/2)
The WF/PC-2 was used to perform the monthly decons. Also included are instrument monitors tied to decons: photometric stability check, focus monitor, pre- and post-decon internals {bias, intflats, kspots, & darks}, and UV throughput checks. The observations were completed nominally.
1.7 Completed STIS/MA2 8275 (Ultraviolet Snapshots of 3CR Radio Source Counterparts at Low Z)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (MA2) was used to make ultraviolet snapshot observations of the radio galaxy 3C293.0. Radio galaxies are an important class of extragalactic objects, representing one of the most energetic astrophysical phenomena, while extraordinarily useful as probes of their environments and of the early Universe. The observations were completed as scheduled, and no anomalies were reported.
1.8 Completed STIS/MA2 8426 (Cycle 8 MAMA Dark Measurements)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (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.
1.9 Completed STIS/CCD 8607 (Completing the Local AGN Inventory: The AGN Content of Composite Nuclei)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to increase the knowledge of the local space density of AGNs which is of fundamental importance to a number of astrophysical problems. A significant fraction of nearby galaxies have nuclei whose spectra are intermediate between those of LINERs and nuclear starbursts. These “transition objects” may be composite systems that contain both a central AGN and circumnuclear star formation. We will test this hypothesis by obtaining spatially-resolved optical spectra of a well-defined sample of 15 nearby transition nuclei selected from the extensive ground-based survey of Ho, Filippenko, and Sargent. The observations completed with no reported problems.
1.10 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 that are believed responsible for triggering starburst and AGN activity in galaxies, and even perhaps transforming spiral galaxies into ellipticals. The proposal completed nominally.
1.11 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.
1.12 Completed WF/PC-2 7431 (Snapshot Survey of Microlensed Source Stars)
The WF/PC-2 was used to make snapshot survey images of microlensed source star MACHO-95-1. Gravitational microlensing surveys have revealed an excess of lensing events over theoretical predictions toward both the Large Magellanic Cloud and the Galactic Bulge. The observations were completed as planned, and no anomalies were reported.
1.13 Completed Two Sets of STIS/CCD 8798 (Read Noise Monitor)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to measure the read noise of the STIS CCD using pairs of bias frames. The proposal completed nominally.
1.14 Completed Two Sets of WF/PC-2 8461 (Cycle 8 Supplemental Darks pt3/3)
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 proposal completed nominally.
1.15 Completed STIS/CCD 8187 (STIS Imaging of the Deep NICMOS Parallel Fields: Building on the NICMOS Legacy)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to make observations of field #1631 that was previously observed using deep images from the NICMOS camera. The STIS images will yield visual morphologies to magnitudes of 24.5 and quantitative measures of image structure to 26.5 or fainter in two orbits. The observations were completed as planned, and no problems were reported.
1.16 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.
1.17 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.
2.0 FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUMMARY:
2.1 Guide Star Acquisitions:
Scheduled Acquisitions: 10
Successful: 10
As documented in HSTAR 7671, the acquisition at 167/073818Z defaulted to fine lock backup on FGS-3 only when the scan step limit was exceeded on FGS-2. Two STIS proposals, 8265 and 8437, occurring during the period of the next report, may have been affected.
Scheduled Re-acquisitions: 6
Successful: 6
2.2 FHST Updates:
Scheduled: 23
Successful: 23
2.3 Operations Notes:
HST personnel continue to run operations from the Building 23 backup facility.
The SSR was configured for autonomous engineering record from 166/1119Z until 166/1308Z per ROP SR-8A.
Per an operations request the RF transfer switch 1 and 2 were scrubbed at 166/1306Z.
Using ROP IC-2, SSA transmitter 1 was turned on at 166/1442Z and turned off at 166/1455Z.
At 167/0917Z, the engineering status buffer limit was changed to ‘2’ as directed by ROP DF-18A.
3.0 SIGNIFICANT FORTHCOMING EVENTS:
A secondary mirror move will occur this afternoon, starting at approximately 167/1930Z.
Continuation of normal science observations and calibrations.
/CAW
