Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report #2648 06/20/00
HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE
DAILY REPORT #2648
PERIOD COVERED: 0000Z (UTC) 06/19/00 – 0000Z (UTC) 06/20/00
Daily Status Report as of 172/0000Z
1.0 OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED AND ACCOMPLISHED:
1.1 Completed Three 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. As described in HSTAR 7683 and yesterday’s report, the acquisition for the third iteration of this proposal defaulted to fine lock on one FGS only, possibly affecting all observations. Otherwise, the proposal completed nominally.
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 STIS/CCD 8472 (Key Project: Demographics Of Nuclear Black Holes Observations)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to investigate the detection of supermassive black holes {BHs} in normal galaxies which is one of the grand challenges that HST was designed to meet. During this program, the kinematics of nuclear gas disks in the target galaxies will be measured. As described in HSTAR 7683 and yesterday’s report, the acquisition for this proposal defaulted to fine lock on one FGS only, possibly affecting all observations. Otherwise, the proposal completed with no further reported problems.
1.4 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. As described in HSTAR 7683 and yesterday’s report, the acquisition for the first iteration of this proposal defaulted to fine lock on one FGS only, possibly affecting all
observations. Otherwise, the proposal completed with no further reported anomalies.
1.5 Completed STIS/MA1/MA2 8144 (UV Spectroscopic Snapshots of FUSE AGN Targets)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD, MA1 and MA2) was used to make far ultraviolet spectrographic snapshot observations of the FUSE AGN target MRK304. This object is currently scheduled to be observed by the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer {FUSE}. The observations were executed as scheduled, and no anomalies were noted.
1.6 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.
1.7 Completed Two 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.
1.8 Completed STIS/CCD 8640 (A Public STIS Survey of the Host Galaxies of Gamma-Ray Bursts)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to obtain high-resolution images of the fields containing gamma-ray burst with well-localized coordinates; i.e. the burst has been localized to within approximately one arcsecond. The goal of this survey is to obtain a uniform sample of images of the host galaxies of these bursts. As described in 2.1 and HSTAR 7685, the acquisition for this proposal defaulted to fine lock on one FGS only, possibly affecting the
proposal. There were no other reported problems.
1.9 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. As described in 2.1 and HSTAR 7685, the acquisition for this proposal defaulted to fine lock on one FGS only, possibly affecting the proposal. No other problems were encountered.
1.10 Completed NIC1/2/3 8869 (FSW 4.0C Test)
This proposal will be used to test NICMOS FSW version 4.0C. It consists of two identical visits, one of which will execute before FSW 4.0C is installed {as a baseline}, and the other after installation. The purpose of the test is to verify that the fix for the single bit error works properly, and to exercise the TPG Reset recovery stored commanding. There were no reported problems.
1.11 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.
1.12 Completed WF/PC-2 8243 (SINS: The Supernova Intensive Study – Cycle 8)
The WF/PC-2 was used to make observations of supernova
SN1998BU. Supernovae reveal the last stages of stellar evolution, create the chemical history of the Universe, energize the interstellar gas, and occupy the center of attention for the extragalactic distance scale and cosmology. A wavelength calibration image was also taken. The observations were completed as planned, and no problems were reported.
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/MA2 8126 (Observations Of QSO Pairs)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA2) was used to obtain ultraviolet spectra of four QSO pairs with similar common redshift ranges {z ~ 0.7–1} and projected linear separations gradually increasing from ~0.5 to sim1 h^-1_100 Mpc. This is being done to: {i} to probe the extension and structure of gaseous complexes giving rise to the formation of LyAlpha absorption lines at intermediate redshift {z ~ 0.9}, {ii} to investigate the transversal proximity effect of the foreground quasar along the line of sight to the background quasar; and {iii} study the environment in which QSOs reside and in particular the presence of gas around the foreground quasar. The observations completed nominally.
2.0 FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUMMARY:
2.1 Guide Star Acquisitions:
Scheduled Acquisitions: 7
Successful: 7
As documented in HSTAR 7685, the acquisition at 171/104825Z faulted to fine lock backup on FGS-1 only when the scan step limit was exceeded on FGS-2. The cause is incorrect K-factors which were uplinked during a recent ITS test. The proposals described in may have been affected. Scheduled Re-acquisitions: 8
Successful: 8
2.2 FHST Updates:
Scheduled: 16
Successful: 16
2.3 Operations Notes:
Using ROP SR-1A, the SSR EDAC error counter was cleared once.
A TTR was written for a period, from 171/2127Z until 172/0032Z, when there was no ODM or GCMR capability.
An SI C&DH error was reset at 171/2217Z per ROP NS-5.
A TTR was generated when 8 minutes, of 32k engineering data was lost during a TDRS-W support beginning at 172/0238Z. There were separator problems with the MA return.
At 172/0312Z, the correct KB and KZ K-factors for FGS-2 were uplinked to the HST. Dumps before and after this exercise (ROP DF-1a), as well as telemetry diagnostics confirmed that the 486 had been loaded properly. At 172/0037Z, FGS-2 successfully performed a fine lock acquisition. That sensor is now expected to continue performing nominally.
As directed by ROP DF-18A, the limit for the engineering status buffer was reset at 172/0850Z.
3.0 SIGNIFICANT FORTHCOMING EVENTS:
Continuation of normal science observations and calibrations.
