Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report #2704 09/11/00
HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE
DAILY REPORT #2704
PERIOD COVERED: 0000Z (UTC) 09/08/00 – 0000Z (UTC) 09/11/00
Daily Status Report as of 255/0000Z
1.0 OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED AND ACCOMPLISHED:
1.1 Completed Seven 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.
1.2 Completed Six Sets of STIS/CCD 8837 (CCD Dark Monitor-Part 1)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to monitor the darks. The proposal completed with no reported problems.
1.3 Completed STIS/CCD 8572 (Identifying Normal Galaxies at 1.3 < z < 2.5)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to perform studies of faint, distant galaxies. It is now possible to observe hundreds of galaxies out to z=1 and in the range 3 < z < 4.5, yet the redshift range 1 < z <3 remains largely unexplored. No problems were noted.
1.4 Completed Eleven 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.
1.5 Completed Three Sets of STIS/CCD 8631 (Bright Quasar Close Lensing Search II)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to expand the Cycle 8 second generation HST snapshot survey of bright quasars, optimized to find lenses with component image separations < 1". The observations completed nominally.
1.6 Completed WF/PC-2 8581 (A Search For Low-Mass Companions To Ultracool Dwarfs)
The WF/PC-2 was used to search for very low-mass {VLM} companions to a complete sample of 120 late-M and L dwarfs, drawn mainly from the 2MASS and SDSS surveys. The primary goal is to determine the multiplicity of M < 0.1 M_odot dwarfs. In particular, we aim to identify binary systems suitable for long-term astrometric monitoring and mass measurement, and systems with cool, sub-1000K companions. The proposal completed with no reported problems.
1.7 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.
1.8 Completed Three Sets of STIS/CCD 8838 (Bias Monitor – Part 1)
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 nominally.
1.9 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 that are 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.
1.10 Completed STIS/CCD/MA2 8861 (MAMA Anomalous Recovery)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD/MA2) was used to test plans to permit recovery of the FUV- or NUV-MAMA detector after an anomalous shutdown. Anomalous shutdowns can occur as a result of bright object violations which trigger the Bright Scene Detection or Software Global Monitors. Anomalous shutdowns can also occur as a result of MAMA hardware problems. This anomalous procedure consists of three procedures: {1} a signal processing electronics check, {2} high voltage ramp-up to an intermediate voltage and {3} high voltage ramp-up to the full operating voltage. During each of the two high voltage ramp-ups, diagnostics are performed during dark and flat field ACCUMs. There were no reported problems.
1.11 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1 8157 (Molecular Hydrogen in the Circumstellar Environments of T Tauri Stars)
The Space Telescope Imaging Telescope (CCD and MA1) was used to probe the gaseous environments of low mass pre-main sequence stars by studying the H_2 UV Lyman bands. Fluorescent H_2 Lyman band emission has been detected, pumped by H I Lyman Alpha and Si IV, in 8 classical T Tauri stars but not in 3 naked T Tauri stars. The observations will provide insights into the spatial distribution of gas near classical T Tauri stars. The proposal completed with no reported problems.
1.12 Completed Two Sets of WF/PC-2 8822 (Decontaminations and Associated Observations Pt. 1/4)
The Wf/PC-2 was used for 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}, UV throughput check, VISFLAT sweep, and internal UV flat check. There were no reported problems.
1.13 Completed Two Sets of STIS/CCD 8848 (Dispersion Solutions)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to make wavelength dispersion solutions that will be determined on a yearly basis as part of a long-term monitoring program, and to obtain deep engineering wavecals for all CCD gratings at several wavelength centers. The observations were completed nominally.
1.14 Completed FGS-1 8783 (Orbits of Pre-Main Sequence Binaries)
FGS-1 was used to dynamically measure the masses of low mass pre-main sequence stars. This is important because there are still no low mass young stars with reliably known masses. In cycle 5 we began to map the orbits of young multiple star systems in Taurus using FGS-1. It is proposed to continue to measure the orbits of the binary and triple systems that have been determined to have the smallest angular separations with the more capable FGS-1R. The proposal completed with no reported problems.
1.15 Completed Two Sets of WF/PC-2/STIS/CCD 8191 (The Faintest Radio Galaxies: Interacting Starbursts at z<1)
Deep WF/PC-2 imaging and Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) slitless spectroscopy of two of our ultra-deep VLA fields were
performed. There were no reported problems.
1.16 Completed WF/PC-2 8713 (The Photoevaporation of Protostellar Envelopes in the NGC 281 Young Stellar Cluster)
The WF/PC-2 was used to obtain HAlpha, SII, SIII and R–band WFPC2 imaging of the NGC 281 nebula. This region, which has been studied intensively at near–infrared and radio wavelengths, contains a rich cluster of young, low–mass stars emerging from an edge–on molecular gas/H, ii region interface. With the WFPC2 images, it is planned to search for <= 2000 AU sized evaporating globules, or EGGs, similar to those detected in M16. The observations completed nominally.
1.17 Completed Three 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.
1.18 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1/MA2 7305 (The Physical Characteristics of Small- Scale ISM Structure)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD, MA1 and MA2) was used to accurately measure and compare the interstellar Zn II, S II, Cr II, Mg II, Mn II, CO, Cl I, and C I absorption line profiles toward a sample of seven multiple star systems with projected linear separations ranging from 550 to 9700 AU. Recent optical observations of Na I at very high spectral resolution toward six of these systems and more than a dozen others have found line profile variations in every case that are indicative of small-scale structure in the diffuse ISM. A detailed physical
understanding of this structure requires the diagnostic power of the many interstellar species observable in the ultraviolet. There were no reported problems.
1.19 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1/MA2 8244 (Probing Stellar Ejecta in SN 1006 through UV Absorption Spectroscopy)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD, MA1 and MA2) was used to investigate the remnant of SN 1006 which provides a unique opportunity to study ejecta from a Type Ia supernova through UV absorption spectroscopy. Absorption lines in the spectrum of the background Schweizer-Middleditch star have revealed the presence of cold Fe and Si with velocities up to 7000kms. These lines surely are due to ejecta, but extrapolation from a single line of sight to the entire remnant suggests a mass of Fe less than half the ~ 0.5: Msun expected from a Type Ia supernova. A reliable inventory of the ejecta requires several such “core samples” through the remnant, but until now no other suitable background UV sources had been identified. The observations completed nominally.
1.20 Completed Two Sets of STIS/MA1 8721 (An UV Imaging Survey of IR-Bright Star- Forming Galaxies)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (MA1) was used to carry out a UV {~1, 600 Angstrom} snapshot imaging survey of all the actively star-forming galaxies detected by ISO at Lambda>170 Mum and closer than cz=9000 km/s. The sample covers a large region in the parameter’s space of morphology, luminosity, metallicity, and star formation intensity. There were no reported anomalies.
1.21 Completed FGS 8616 (Masses of Pre-Main Sequence Binaries)
The Fine Guidance Sensors were used to continue mapping the orbits of young star binaries in the Taurus and Ophiuchus star forming regions. Our goal is to measure their masses dynamically. This is important because there are still no low mass young stars with reliably known masses so calculations of their evolution to the main sequence are uncalibrated. There were no reported problems.
1.22 Completed WF/PC-2 7407 (Continuation of Temporal Monitoring of the Crab Synchrotron Nebula)
The WF/PC-2 was used to observe the synchrotron nebula surrounding the Crab pulsar that has been the subject of intensive study for decades. It is generally accepted that the structure and activity in this region are due to wave phenomena near the termination shock of the pulsar wind, observations of which hold unique promise of leading to more complete models of the pulsar and its magnetosphere. Unfortunately, this promise has not been fulfilled, largely because of the low spatial resolution and uneven temporal coverage of existing studies. Recent WF/PC-2 observations of the Crab synchrotron nebula offer new hope in this quest. These data, which reach the natural size scale defined by the Larmor radius of energetic electrons, resolve the majority of the the known features in the Crab. For the first time it is possible to reliably establish the physical conditions {e.g., emissivities, equipartition fields, and pressures} of features associated with the wind and its termination shock. The losses of lock discussed in 2.1 and HSTAR 7845 occurred at the beginning of this proposal. Any possible effect on the proposal is not currently known. Otherwise, the observation completed with as planned.
1.23 Completed STIS/CCD 8700 (A STIS Spectroscopic Snapshot Survey of 3CR Radio Galaxies : The Nature of the Unresolved Nuclei)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to perform STIS snapshot long-slit spectroscopy of these nuclei over 2900- 10300 AA to classify them {QSO, NLRG, BLRG, BL Lac, ldots} and establish their AGN characteristics down to the lowest nuclear luminosities, while still within powerful 3C radio galaxies. The primary goals are : {1} to test unification schemes by identifying previously undetected signatures of low-level AGN/QSO activity in their spectra in the form of weak, broad emission lines, featureless continua, and UV excess, {2} to constrain the FR I/BL Lac connection by measuring the relative contribution of thermal {starburst}, non-thermal {optical synchrotron}, and line emission, and {3} to perform line and continuum diagnostics to determine the dominant ionization mechanisms in the circumnuclear regions {tenths of arcseconds} and the role of dust extinction in the NLRGs and BLRGs in the form of geometrically thick or thin tori and foreground dust. The proposal completed as planned, with no reported anomalies.
1.24 Completed WF/PC-2/STIS/CCD 8560 (Large Scale Structure at z ~ 0.9)
The WF/PC-2 and the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) were used to obtain deep, broad-band red images of three fields within a supercluster at z ~ 0.9 in order to study the morphological properties of galaxies within a high-redshift large scale structure. Because significant evolution has already been observed in galaxy populations at this redshift, these observations will provide a crucial link between the global properties of large scale structure and galaxy-scale physics. No problems were identified.
1.25 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1/MA2 8423 (FASTEX — Faint Standard Extension)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD, MA1 and MA2) was used to measure the fainter standard stars which are needed for the flux calibration of COS and for the prism modes on ACS. The proposal completed with no outstanding problems.
1.26 Completed STIS/CCD 8870 (POMS Test Proposal: STIS Non-Scripted Parallel Proposal Continuation IV)
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.
2.0 FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUMMARY:
2.1 Guide Star Acquisitions:
Scheduled Acquisitions: 24
Successful: 24
Per HSTAR 7845, following the acquisition at 253/203050Z, there were several losses of lock with the new #44 commands. The proposal described in 1.22 may have been affected.
Scheduled Re-acquisitions: 22
Successful: 22
2.2 FHST Updates:
Scheduled: 52
Successful: 52
2.3 Operations Notes:
Using ROP SR-1A, the SSE EDAC error counter was cleared nine times.
The engineering status buffer limit for SESBSLD was adjusted twice, per ROP DF-18A.
Per ROP IC-2, MA transmitter #2 was turned on at 253/0554Z.
ESTR-2 was reconditioned at 253/0717Z as directed by ROP RD-7A.
A TTR was written when there was no receiver lock on the MA forward during a TDRS-E support. The cause for the data loss from 253/1103Z until 253/1155Z is unknown.
SI C&DH errors were reset at 253/1218Z, per ROP NS-5.
At 254/0615Z, operations personnel recovered from the line outage recorder 32k engineering data from 236/1405Z until 236/1445Z. Data from 246/1205Z until 246/1210Z was unavailable since that tape had been degaussed.
Per ROP IC-2, SSA transmitter #1 was turned on at 254/1742Z and turned off at 254/1804Z.
The NSSC-1 status buffer was dumped and reset at 255/0028Z, using ROP NS-3.
3.0 SIGNIFICANT FORTHCOMING EVENTS:
Continuation of normal science observations and calibrations.