Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report #2657 07/05/00
HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE
DAILY REPORT #2657
PERIOD COVERED: 0000Z (UTC) 06/30/00 – 0000Z (UTC) 07/05/00
Daily Status Report as of 187/0000Z
1.0 OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED AND ACCOMPLISHED:
1.1 Completed Five 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 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.
1.3 Completed STIS/CCD 8313 (Imaging the Host Galaxies of High Redshift Type Ia Supernovae)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to make observations of 95126 and its host galaxy. The propose is to obtain snapshot, unfiltered STIS images of distant galaxies of known redshift which have hosted supernovae {SNe} of Type IA found via the Supernova Cosmology Project. The observations were completed as scheduled, and no anomalies were reported.
1.4 Completed Six Sets of 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.
1.5 Completed Seventeen 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.
1.6 Completed Nine 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.
1.7 Completed WF/PC-2 8655 (Geometric Distances of Globular Clusters {GO part})
TheWF/PC-2 was used to establish a globular-cluster distance scale of unprecedented accuracy and reliability, with far- reaching impact on the distance and time scales of cosmology. Our method is to compare internal dispersions of proper motion with ground-based determinations of the dispersion of radial velocities. The prospect is a geometrically based distance scale with an accuracy of better than 2 ability to make such measurements, and we are progressing with the conversion of them to a distance for the cluster. The observations completed with no reported problems.
1.8 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.
1.9 Completed WF/PC-2 8829 (Observatory Focus Monitor)
The WF/PC-2 was used to analyze the HST focus which drifts slowly and shows evidence of undergoing slips of a few microns at random times. The rate of the WFPC2 monitoring program is insufficient to track and/or understand OTA behavior in order to request timely and appropriate secondary mirror corrections. This 14 orbit program obtains a large amount of high signal to noise focus data, sometimes in two Science Instruments at once, and will be sufficient to more accurately define the HST
focus. There were no reported problems.
1.10 Completed Eleven 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.
1.11 Completed STIS/CCD 8205 (UV Spectroscopy of Infalling Cometary Material in Solar-Type Pre-Main Sequence Stars)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to see whether models for the formation of the Solar System that predict that an intermediate stage in planet formation was the assembly of material in the disk into planetesimals, and that this should be a common step in the evolution of planetary systems are correct. The proposal completed with no reported problems.
1.12 Completed Three Sets of STIS/CCD 8474 (Coronographic Imaging of Protoplanetary Disks)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to obtain broad-band optical coronographic imaging that will be used to search for circumstellar disks and indirect signatures of the presence of massive planets toward the nearby Herbig Ae/Be and T Tauri stars. The observations completed with no reported problems.
1.13 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. This is the after installation phase test. 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.
1.14 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1 8165 (Pervasive Hot Gas Hidden in Galaxy Groups: A Substantial Baryon Reservoir?)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (MA1) was used to make observations of galactic cluster PG1116+215 to look for pervasive hot gas in the intracluster media. Cosmological simulations predict that at z ~ 0, most groups of galaxies should be embedded in large filaments and sheets of shock heated gas at 10^5 — 10^6 ^degrees K. A wavelength calibration image was also taken. The observations were executed as scheduled, and no anomalies were noted.
1.15 Completed Three Sets of 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.
1.16 Completed Ten Sets of WF/PC-2 8826 (Cycle 9 Supplemental Darks pt 1)
The WF/PC-2 was used to perform a T dark calibration program that obtains three dark frames every day in order to provide data for monitoring and characterizing the evolution of hot pixels. There were no reported anomalies.
1.17 Completed STIS/CCD 8569 (A New Survey for Low-Redshift Damped Lyman-Alpha Lines in QSO MgII Systems)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to support studies which have shown that most of the observable neutral gas mass in the Universe resides in QSO damped LyAlpha {DLA} systems. However, at low redshift , DLA can only be found by searching in the UV with HST. By boot-strapping from the MgII statistics, we will be able to further improve the determination of the low- redshift statistical properties of DLA {their incidence and cosmological mass density} and open up new opportunities for studies at low redshift. The observations completed nominally.
1.18 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.
1.19 Completed WF/PC-2/STIS/CCD 8119 (Measuring The Black Hole Mass In Centaurus A, The Nearest Active Galaxy)
The WF/PC-2 and the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) were used to measure the mass of the black hole at the center of NGC5128 {Cen A}, the nearest active galaxy. The presence of a super-massive black hole, comparable to that of M87, is suggested by the jet, the extent of the radio lobes, and the presence of strong nuclear radiation extending to hard X-rays and Gamma-rays. The observations completed with no reported anomalies.
1.20 Completed WF/PC-2 8173 (Alignment and Evolution of Redshift One Radio Galaxies)
The WF/PC-2 was used to observe galaxies associated with powerful distant radio sources which are the most massive ellipticals known at early cosmic epochs, and are also uniquely important for understanding the physics of AGN and the interactions between the radio source and its environment. The observations completed with no reported problems.
1.21 Completed WF/PC-2 8452 (Cycle 8 PSF Characterization)
The WF/PC-2 was used to make a check of the subsampled point spread function (PSF) over the full field. The proposal completed nominally.
1.22 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1/MA2 8484 (Physical Properties of H I AND H II Regions)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD, MA1 and MA2) was used to observe Interstellar absorption lines within the wavelength intervals 1170-1370A and 1630-1890A in the spectra of 10 early-type stars. The following objectives were achieved: {1} to measure the populations of the fine-structure levels of O I, C I and Si II within H I and H II regions, {2} to determine the ionization ratios Al I/Al III {the Al II line will probably be too saturated}, S I/S II/S III, and Si I/Si II/Si III, and {3} to measure the abundances of Mg, O, S, Ni and Si from unsaturated lines arising from their preferred ionization stages in H I regions. Objectives {1} and {2} should define local kinetic temperatures, densities of H atoms {both neutral and ionized}, and also the ratios of uv ionizing photons to electrons. The proposal completed nominally.
1.23 Completed FGS 8618 (Parallaxes of Magnetic CVs)
The FGSs were used to gather data for the calculation of trigonometric parallaxes of cataclysmic variable {CVs} which are needed to obtain reliable information on luminosities, accretion rates, and on radii and masses of the stellar components. They are also needed to derive the space density, an important ingredient for theories of CV evolution. The observations completed with no reported problems.
1.24 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1 8287 (A Search For Transparent Lines of Sight With Intergalactic He-II Absorption Towards 26 Bright z > 2.9 Quasars)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA1) was used to make He-II absorption line observations of quasar HS1437+300. The aim is to identify more suitable bright objects for detailed studies of intergalactic He-II absorption at a redshift of Z <2.9 and >3.2 . A wavelength calibration observation was also taken. The observations were executed as scheduled, and no anomalies were noted.
1.25 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. There were no reported problems.
1.26 Completed WF/PC-2 8325 (Galaxy Evolution in Low-Density Environments: WFPC2 Imaging of Poor X-Ray Clusters at z=0.2-0.3)
The WF/PC-2 was used to obtain high quality morphological information on galaxies within nine X-ray-selected poor clusters at z=0.2-0.3. These morphologies will be combined with information on the stellar populations of the galaxies from our on-going spectroscopic survey of these systems to provide a complete view of the morphological and spectral evolution of galaxies within these clusters. The observations completed nominally.
1.27 Completed STIS/CCD 8236 (Black Holes and Gas Disks in a Complete Sample of Radio-Loud Ellipticals – II: Kinematics)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to make observations of the radio-loud elliptical galaxy NGC-5141. From these observations we will measure the black hole masses, determine the nature, kinematics, and structure of the central gas disks and obtain a modeled upper limit to their mass accretion rates. A wavelength calibration image was also taken. The observations were completed as planned, and no problems were reported.
1.28 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.
1.29 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 AGK+81D266 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.
1.30 Completed Two Sets of 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 stars that are located in the cataclysmic variable star systems known as TZ-Per and GW-LIB. The observations were executed as scheduled, and no problems were reported.
1.31 Completed Six Sets of WF/PC-2 8811 (Cycle 9 Standard Darks)
The WF/PC-2 was used to obtain 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 problems.
1.32 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 7709, the acquisition for this proposal defualted to fine lock backup on one FGS only, possibly affecting all observations. There were no further reported problems.
1.33 Completed Nine Sets of WF/PC-2 8457 (UV Earth Flats)
The WF/PC-2 was used to obtain a series of Ultraviolet Earth flats. The observations were completed with no reported problems.
1.34 Completed WF/PC-2 8812 (Cycle 9 Internal Monitor)
The WF/PC-2 was used to obtain routine internal monitors for WFPC2 in order to monitor the health of the cameras. A variety of internal exposures are obtained in order to provide a monitor of the integrity of the CCD camera electronics in both bays {gain 7 and gain 15}, a test for quantum efficiency in the CCDs, and a monitor for possible buildup of contaminants on the CCD windows. There were no reported problems.
1.35 Completed STIS/CCD 8228 (The Black Hole Versus Bulge Mass Relationship in Spiral Galaxies)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to make observations of the galaxy NGC-7331 in order to study the black hole versus bulge mass relationship in spiral galaxies. A wavelength calibration image was also taken. The observations were executed as scheduled, and no anomalies were noted.
1.36 Completed WF/PC-2 8683 (Imaging Of Brightest Cluster Galaxies: The High End Of The Black Hole Mass Distribution)
The Wf/PC-2 was used to make kinematic black hole detections in galaxies to decide whether they indicate that the mass correlates with both optical luminosity and radio power. The observation completed with no reported problems.
1.37 Completed WF/PC-2 8599 (A Census of Nuclear Star Clusters in Late-Type Spiral Galaxies)
The WF/PC-2 was used to conduct an I-band snapshot survey of a well-defined sample of nearby, face-on spiral galaxies of type Scd or later. The proposal completed nominally.
1.38 Completed STIS/CCD 8412 (STIS CCD Imaging Flats C8)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to investigate the flat-field stability of the unit over a monthly period. A bias calibration observation was also taken. The observations were executed as scheduled, and no anomalies were noted.
1.39 Completed WF/PC-2 8563 (Determining the Duplicity of Nearby T Dwarfs {Methane Brown Dwarfs})
The WF/PC-2 was used to investigate the binary fraction of T-type dwarfs {methane brown dwarfs} which is crucial to accurate determinations of the T-dwarf space density and mass function, especially since equal- magnitude binaries can introduce significant biases in photometric distance estimates. The proposal completed nominally.
1.40 Completed Two Sets of WF/PC-2 8601 (A Snapshot Survey of Probable Nearby Galaxies)
The WF/PC-2 was used to continue the very successful snapshot survey in order to use the high spatial resolution of HST to determine whether selected galaxies are nearby on the basis of resolution into stars, and the magnitudes and colors of the brightest stars. There were no reported problems.
1.41 Completed WF/PC-2 8632 (A UV Atlas of Nearby Galaxies)
The WF/PC-2 was used to perform a snapshot survey of local galaxies at UV wavelengths with the F300W filter. The aim of the project is to build a reference UV Atlas of normal galaxies, whose optical images are well known, with the highest possible degree of information, covering all the morphological types and luminosity classes. The proposal completed normally.
1.42 Completed WF/PC-2 8597 (The Fueling of Active Nuclei: Why are Active Galaxies Active?)
The WF/PC-2 was used to investigate the accretion onto massive black holes which is believed to be the energy source for AGN. However, evidence for black holes in quiescent galaxies has also been reported. Why are these galaxies inactive? One possibility is that active galaxies are better at providing fuel to the nuclear region than quiescent
galaxies. Other possible fueling mechanisms such as “bars-within-bars” or nuclear spirals cannot be investigated from the ground because they are relatively small features in the ISM. The observations were completed as planned.
1.43 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.
1.44 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.
1.45 Completed Two Sets of 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.
1.46 Completed STIS/CCD/MA2 8342 (Abundances in Halo Stars and Galactic Element Formation)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (MA1 and CCD) was used to make observations of star HD126587 as part of a study of the abundances in halo stars and galactic element formation. The results for the very oldest galactic stars will also provide an important, and independent, age determination for the Galaxy and hence constrain cosmological age estimates. A wavelength calibration image was also taken. The observations were executed as scheduled, and no anomalies were noted.
2.0 FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUMMARY:
2.1 Guide Star Acquisitions:
Scheduled Acquisitions: 39
Successful: 39
Per HSTAR 7709, the acquisition at 185/034333Z defaulted to fine lock backup on FGS-1 only when the scan step limit was exceeded on FGS-2. The proposal outlined in 1.32 may have been affected.
Scheduled Re-acquisitions: 43
Successful: 43
2.2 FHST Updates:
Scheduled: 76
Successful: 75
The update scheduled for 183/0317Z failed.
2.3 Operations Notes:
Operations is being conducted on CCS string "A". That string was re-cycled at 183/1810Z when double NCC messages and time delays were experienced (HSTAR7708).
Using ROP SR-1A, the SSR EDAC error counter was cleared five times.
On three occasions, ROP DF-18A was utilized to set the high/low limits for the engineering status buffer.
SI C&DH flight software errors were reset three times per ROP NS-5.
SSA transmitter #1 was turned on and off twice as directed by ROP IC-2.
An NSSC-1 status buffer dump was performed at 184/0033Z, using ROP NS-3.
There was a STIS MCE-1 reset at 184/172051Z while the vehicle was inside an SAA interval and while the low voltage was on. Per ROP NS-12, the STIS flight software error counter was reset at 184/1734Z. MAMA-1 was recovered via normal SMS commanding at 184/1946Z, the next time for high voltage on commanding.
The ephemeris tables were uplinked at 186/0113Z per ROP DF-07B.
3.0 SIGNIFICANT FORTHCOMING EVENTS:
Continuation of normal science observations and calibrations.
