Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report #2711 09/20/00
HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE
DAILY REPORT #2711
PERIOD COVERED: 0000Z (UTC) 09/19/00 – 0000Z (UTC) 09/20/00
Daily Status Report as of 264/0000Z
1.0 OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED AND ACCOMPLISHED:
1.1 Completed Two 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.
1.2 Completed 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.
1.3 Completed Four 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 nominally.
1.4 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1/MA2 8849 (Faint Standard Extension)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD, MA1 and MA2) was used to observe fainter standard stars that are needed for the flux calibration of COS, while re-observations are required to check for variability and to improve S/N. The observations completed nominally.
1.5 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.
1.6 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1/MA2 8280 (Origins, Structure and Evolution of Magnetic Activity in the Cool Half of the H-R Diagram: A STIS Survey)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD, MA1 and MA2) was used to make observations of star HD20630 to carry out part of a major ultraviolet spectral survey of "coronal" late-type stars. A wavelength calibration image was also taken. The observations were executed as scheduled, and no anomalies were noted.
1.7 Completed Three Sets of WF/PC-2 8816 (Cycle 9 UV Earthflats)
The WF/PC-2 was used to obtain sequences of earth streak flats to improve the quality of pipeline flat fields for the WFPC2 UV filter set and in order to monitor flat field stability. There were no reported problems.
1.8 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.
1.9 Completed 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.
1.10 Completed STIS/MA1 8426 (Cycle 8 MAMA Dark Measurements)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (MA1) 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.
1.11 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.
1.12 Completed Four 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. As described in HSTAR 7858 and 2.1 the acquisition and re-acquisition for the third iteration of this proposal failed, losing all observations for this iteration. Otherwise, the observations completed with no further anomalous activity.
1.13 Completed Two Sets of WF/PC-2 8874 (Heritage Observations of the Horsehead Nebula)
The WF/PC-2 was used to observe the Horsehead Nebula {Barnard 33} as part of the Hubble Heritage Project. The aim of the Heritage Project is to provide spectacular HST color images for public release, outreach, and education. As described in HSTAR 7858 and 2.1 the acquisition and re-acquisition for the second iteration of this proposal failed, losing all observations for this iteration. Otherwise, there were no further reported anomalies.
1.14 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.
2.0 FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUMMARY:
2.1 Guide Star Acquisitions:
Scheduled Acquisitions: 8
Successful: 7
Scheduled Re-acquisitions: 6
Successful: 5
Per HSTAR 7858, the acquisition scheduled to occur at 263/200920Z and the following re-acquisition failed when the search radius limit was exceeded on FGS-3. The same stars as had been used in the failures reported yesterday had been utilized. The proposals detailed in 1.12 and 1.13 were affected.
2.2 FHST Updates:
Scheduled: 24
Successful: 24
2.3 Operations Notes:
Using ROP SR-1A, the SSR EDAC error counter was cleared three times.
The 486 engineering status buffer was managed at 263/2041Z, 263/2147Z, and 264/0215Z per ROP DF-18A.
SSA transmitter #1 was turned on and off at 264/0728Z as directed by ROP IC-2.
The NSSC-1 status buffer was dumped and reset at 264/0248Z per ROP NS-5.
3.0 SIGNIFICANT FORTHCOMING EVENTS:
The operations team will operation from the Science Institute for the day and swing shifts both today and tomorrow.
Continuation of normal science observations and calibrations.
