Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report #2649 06/21/00
HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE
DAILY REPORT #2649
PERIOD COVERED: 0000Z (UTC) 06/20/00 – 0000Z (UTC) 06/21/00
Daily Status Report as of 173/0000Z
1.0 OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED AND ACCOMPLISHED:
1.1 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.
1.2 Completed Five 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 delayed re-acquisition discussed in HSTAR 7694 and 2.1 occurred during the final iteration of this
proposal. Otherwise, the proposal completed with no further reported problems.
1.3 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.
1.4 Completed STIS/CCD/MA2 8225 (Absorption and Obscuration in Radio-Loud Quasars)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA1) was used to make observations of the radio-loud quasar MRC0030-22. The role of associated absorption systems and dust obscuration close to the central engines of AGN is not understood. A wavelength calibration image was also taken. The observations were completed as planned, and no anomalies were reported.
1.5 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.
1.6 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.
1.7 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.
1.8 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.
1.9 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1 8188 (Snapshot Spectroscopic Diagnostic Survey of the Symbiotic Stars)
The Space Telescope imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA1) was used to make ultraviolet observations of star UU-SER as part of a snapshot spectroscopic diagnostic survey of symbiotic stars. Using these data we will be able to establish meaningful statistical limits on the nature of hot component sources of ionization and fundamental wind parameters, which are vital steps toward understanding the accretion hydrodynamics and the evolutionary status of symbiotic 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 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.
1.11 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.
1.12 Completed Two Sets of WF/PC-2/STIS/CCD 8675 (The Massive Star Content of NGC 6822)
The WF/PC-2 and the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) were used to characterize the young, coeval stellar population discovered with WFPC2 multiband imaging in a NGC6822 star forming region, with follow-up spectroscopy of the massive star candidates. The proposal completed with no reported problems.
1.13 Completed WF/PC-2 8778 (Proper Motion of the Sagittarius Dwarf Galaxy-Cycle 9)
The WF/PC-2 was used to determine the proper motion of the Sagittarius dwarf galaxy {Sgr}. Three fields, previously imaged will be imaged again in cycle 7 and late in cycle 9. This will yield a baseline of ~ 3-4 years from which the proper motion of Sgr will be measured to an accuracy of ~ 35 km/s. The proposal completed with no reported problems.
1.14 Completed Three 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.
1.15 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1 8473 (Key Project: The Nuclear Region Of NGC 4151 Observations)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA1) was used to observe the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 4151. This galaxy will be studied in several ways. 1} low-resolution spectra over the entire UV and visible range will be obtained through a slit at several different orientations to model the physical conditions in the emission-line regions; 2} slitless and long-slit spectra of strong emission lines at moderate resolution and narrow-band WFPC2 images will be used to map the dynamics of the regions; 3} echelle spectra over the entire UV bandpass will be used to study the intrinsic absorption in the nucleus; and 4} parallel imaging will be performed of the outer galaxy and other galaxies or QSOs. The delayed re-acquisition discussed in HSTAR 7694 and 2.1 occurred during this proposal. Otherwise, there were no other reported problems.
2.0 FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUMMARY:
2.1 Guide Star Acquisitions:
Scheduled Acquisitions: 8
Successful: 8
Scheduled Re-acquisitions: 8
Successful: 8
Per HSTAR 7694, the re-acquisition scheduled at 172/235139Z experienced three walkdown failures before finally achieving fine lock at 172/235803Z. The primary acquisition had been nominal. The proposals described in 1.2 and 1.15 may have been affected.
2.2 FHST Updates:
Scheduled: 21
Successful: 21
2.3 Operations Notes:
Using ROP SR-1A, the SSR EDAC error counter was cleared twice.
Per Operations Note 740, the recharge ratio upper limit for sun/orbit time was adjusted.
The ephemeris tables were uplinked at 171/1352Z.
The EEPROM memory for NICMOS was dumped at 172/2044Z as directed by COP 19.20.
The STIS MCE-2 reset at 173/093637Z while outside any SAA interval and while the low voltage was on. The STIS flight software error counter was reset at 173/0944Z per ROP NS-12. MAMA-2 will be recovered via regular SMS commanding at the time of the next high voltage on event.
3.0 SIGNIFICANT FORTHCOMING EVENTS:
Continuation of normal science observations and calibrations.
