Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report #2714 09/25/00
HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE
DAILY REPORT #2714
PERIOD COVERED: 0000Z (UTC) 09/22/00 – 0000Z (UTC) 09/25/00
Daily Status Report as of 269/0000Z
1.0 OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED AND ACCOMPLISHED:
1.1 Completed STIS/CCD/MA2 8770 (The Nucleosynthesis of Boron – Benchmarks for the Galactic Disk)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA2) was used to determine boron (B) abundance. In spite of several HST cycles of B abundance determinations, we do not know the true, ambient, present-day abundance of B. Only two stars {with undepleted Li and Be} have been observed to derive the Population I true B abundance. Past cycles have focused on {1} halo stars with low metallicity and {2} solar-type stars with Li and/or Be deficiencies. In this proposal, the stellar abundances of B will be determined, measured from the B I 2497 Angstrom line from STIS echelle spectra, of main sequence F-G stars that have retained their full initial abundances of boron. Our target stars are those for which ground-based observations show that beryllium is undepleted. These new abundances will map evolution of the B abundance in the Galactic disk in the metallicity range from one-third solar up to solar. Then the B, and previously determined Li and Be abundances, will be used to improve understanding of the nucleosynthesis of B. There were no reported anomalies.
1.2 Completed Nine 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. As described in HSTAR 7868 and 2.1, the acquisition for the sixth iteration of this proposal defaulted to fine lock backup on one FGS only, possibly affecting two observations. Then, as described in 2.1 and HSTAR 7869, the acquisition for the eighth iteration of this proposal failed, affecting two observations. The proposal completed with no other reported problems.
1.3 Completed Four Sets of STIS/CCD 8837 (CCD Dark Monitor-Part 1)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to monitor the darks. As described in HSTAR 7868 and 2.1, the acquisition for the final iteration of this proposal defaulted to fine lock backup on one FGS only, possibly affecting one observation. The proposal completed with no further reported problems.
1.4 Completed Five 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.
1.5 Completed STIS/CCD/MA2 7353 (Spectra to Constrain the Dynamics of Clouds in the Narrow-Line Region of NGC 1068)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA2) was used to make observations of the narrow line regions in the Seyfert galaxy NGC-1068. The results will provide important constraints on more distant quasars whose emission-line regions are too compact for HST and other high-resolution telescopes to resolve, and which therefore possess far fewer dynamical constraints from other wavebands. A wavelength calibration image was also taken. The observations were executed as scheduled, and no anomalies were noted.
1.6 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.
1.7 Completed Two 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.
1.8 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 8243 (SINS: The Supernova Intensive Study – Cycle 8)
The WF/PC-2 was used to make observations of supernova
SN1997. 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.
1.10 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-0613 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.
1.11 Completed Two Sets of WF/PC-2 8804 (A Survey of Gravitational Lenses as Cosmological Tools III)
The WF/PC-2 was used to observe 60 known gravitational lenses that are a unique, mass-selected sample of galaxies, and their properties encode an enormous range of astrophysical information. The numbers of lenses and their distribution in separation, lens and source redshift determine both the cosmological model and the mass function of galaxies and its evolution. 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 2.1 and HSTAR 7869, the acquisition for the third iteration of this proposal failed, affecting one observation. The observations completed with no other anomalous activity.
1.13 Completed Two Sets of 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.
1.14 Completed WF/PC-2 8701 (Multiplicity among Very-Low Mass Stars and Brown Dwarfs in Alpha Persei and the Pleiades)
The WF/PC-2 was used to observe open clusters which provide excellent hunting grounds for brown dwarf {BD} searches. The AlphaPer and Pleiades clusters are young, nearby and have low extinction. They are cosidered to be the best-suited places to study the Substellar Mass. A dozen of cool faint AlphaPer and Pleiades members have been confirmed as “bona-fide” BDs with the lithium test. By comparison with those, about 60 very good cluster BD candiates are currently known. The Pleiades SMF obtained using the most recent deep large CCD surveys indicates that BDs are quite numerous but do not make a significant contribution to the total cluster mass. The observations completed with no reported problems.
1.15 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.
1.16 Completed Three Sets of STIS/CCD 8841 (Hot Pixel Annealing C9)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to improve the effectiveness of the CCD hot pixel annealing process. This is assessed by measuring the dark current behavior before and after annealing and by searching for any window contamination effects. In addition CTE performance is examined by looking for traps in a low signal level flat. The observations completed with no reported problems.
1.17 Completed WF/PC-2 8162 (Identifying The Hidden Phases Of Galaxy Evolution)
The WF/PC-2 was used to perform deep surveys in the sub-mm waveband that are revealing a population of very luminous dusty galaxies at high redshifts, which are {a} as a population, producing stars at a rate as large or larger than the optically selected galaxy population at high redshifts and thus presumably producing a substantial fraction of all stars that have ever been produced; and {b} doing so, individually, in systems with bolometric luminosities (i.e. star-formation rates} that are very much larger than typically seen in the optically-selected population). The observations completed with no anomalous activity.
1.18 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1 8033 (UV Extinction in M-31)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA1) was used to study the ultraviolet extinction in galaxy M-31 by making low dispersion spectra observations of the star M-31-OB6. The purpose is to obtain data on the spectral types and interstellar extinction of hot stars in the association. The observations were completed as planned, and no anomalies were reported.
1.19 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1 7437 (Understanding High-Redshift and Starburst Galaxies: A UV Spectroscopic Survey of O-Stars in the SMC)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA1) was used to make ultraviolet spectrographic observations of galaxy AV423. The data from this survey, of importance in many areas of astrophysics, will immediately be made public as no proprietary period is requested. A wavelength calibration image was also taken. The observations were executed as scheduled, and no anomalies were noted.
1.20 Completed WF/PC-2 8059 (POMS Test Proposal: Targeted Parallel Archive Proposal)
The WF/PC-2 was used to observe the parallel opportunities available in the neighborhood of bright galaxies are treated in a slightly different way from the normal pure parallels. Local Group galaxies offer the opportunity for a closer look at young stellar
populations. Narrow-band images in F656N can be used both to identify young stars via their emission lines, and to map the gas distribution in star-forming regions. The observations completed nominally.
1.21 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.
1.22 Completed WF/PC-2 8600 (Dwarf Elliptical Galaxy Snapshot Survey III)
The WF/PC-2 was used to extend our V and I snapshot survey of nearby dwarf elliptical {dE} galaxies to include a sample of 30 bright dE with significant globular cluster {GC} populations. There were no reported problems.
1.23 Completed Two Sets of WF/PC-2 8708 (NGC 625: An Intriguing Nearby Dwarf Starburst Galaxy)
The WF/PC-2 was used to observe NGC 625 which is a dwarf irregular galaxy in the nearby Sculptor group experiencing a strong burst of star formation. Its close proximity and high galactic latitude make it a very desirable target to help us to understand the starburst phase of dwarf galaxies. The observations completed nominally, with no reported problems.
1.24 Completed WF/PC-2 8598 (Snapshot Survey of Extended OIIl Lambda 5007Angstrom Emission in Seyfert Galaxies)
The WF/PC-2 was used for a snapshot survey of narrow band OIII Lambda 5007Angstrom images for a well defined sample of 88 Seyfert galaxies {29 Seyfert 1s and 59 Seyfert 2s}, 18 of which already have data in the archive, selected from a mostly isotropic property, the 60Mum flux. These data will be used: 1} to determine the origin of the misalignment between the accretion disk axis and the host galaxy plane axis, which can be due to mergers with other galaxies, or by the self induced radiation warping; 2} to compare the size and shape of the Narrow Line Regions (NLR) of Seyfert 1s and Seyfert 2s, and to study the frequency of conically shaped NLR in Seyfert galaxies, which are usually unresolved from ground-based observations; and 3} estimate the importance of shocks to the ionization of the NLR. The observations completed with no reported problems.
1.25 Completed Two Sets of FGS 8729 (Speedy Gonzales Mass
Determinations: Fast Orbiting Red Dwarf Systems)
The FGSs were used to observe five fast-orbiting red dwarf systems to determine masses for objects near the end of the stellar main sequence. All five systems have periods of two years or less, hence the moniker "Speedy Gonzales” systems. In addition, all have parallaxes placing them within 10 parsecs, so high quality masses with errors less than 5% can be derived. As described in 2.1 and HSTAR 7869, the acquisition for the second iteration of this proposal failed, affecting all observations in that iteration. Otherwise, the observation completed as planned, with no further problems.
1.26 Completed STIS/CCD 8562 (Probing the Large Scale Structure: Cosmic Shear Observations) HST
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to probe the distortion of light bundles from distant galaxies, looking at the statistical properties of the intervening inhomogeneous {dark} matter distribution. The proposal completed nominally.
1.27 Completed 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. As described in HSTAR 7868 and 2.1, the acquisition for this proposal defaulted to fine lock backup on one FGS only, possibly affecting one observation. There were no other reported anomalies.
1.28 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.
1.29 Completed WF/PC-2 8183 (Morphology of the Most Massive Galaxies in the Early Universe)
The WF/PC-2 was used to make observations of the massive radio galaxy MRC2224-27 in order to study its morphology. High redshift radio galaxies are fundamentally important probes of galaxy and cluster formation. The observations were completed as scheduled, and no anomalies were reported.
1.30 Completed STIS/CCD 8776 (Absolute Proper Motions of Nearby Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxies)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to measure precise absolute proper motions for four dwarf spheroidal satellites of the Milky Way using spectroscopically-confirmed background QSOs to define a zero- velocity reference frame. No anomalous activity was reported.
1.31 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.
1.32 Completed WF/PC-2 8702 (The Most Elusive Nuclei of LMC Planetary Nebulae)
The WF/PC-2 was used to carry out a SNAPSHOT survey of the faintest nuclei of planetary nebulae {PNe} in the LMC. This program will be a crucial follow-on to a Cycle 8 SNAPSHOT of LMC Pne. In thisa case the plan is to observe the faintest or most obscured nuclei to determine their evolutionary state to an accuracy not possible in the Galaxy. These faintest central stars are predicted to be among the most massive nuclei, and owing to the typically advanced age of the surrounding nebulae, are the most sensitive discriminants for validating the post-AGB evolution timescales predicted by theory. The observations completed with no reported problems.
2.0 FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUMMARY:
2.1 Guide Star Acquisitions:
Scheduled Acquisitions: 27
Successful: 26
The acquisition at 268/090922Z defaulted to fine lock backup on FGS-3 only when the scan search limit was exceeded on FGS-1. A map taken at 268/091343Z showed relatively small errors. HSTAR 7868 was
written. The proposals detailed in 1.2, 1.3 and 1.27 may have been affected.
Per HSTAR 7869, the acquisition scheduled for 268/121412Z failed to RGA control when the search radius limit was exceeded on FGS-3. Proposals described in 1.2, 1.12 and 1.25 were affected.
Scheduled Re-acquisitions: 24
Successful: 24
2.2 FHST Updates:
Scheduled: 53
Successful: 53
2.3 Operations Notes:
Using ROP SR-1A, the SSR EDAC error counter was cleared on nine occasions.
The NSSC-1 engineering report was cleared twice per ROP NS-5.
SSA transmitter #2 was turned on at 265/1352Z and off at 265/1419Z. The same transmitter was turned on at 266/0159Z and off at 266/0247Z. SSA transmitter #1 was turned on at 268/0823Z and turned off at 268/0840Z. In all instances, ROP IC-2 was used.
Two TTRs were written for command dropouts during transmission, at 266/2113Z and at 268/0355Z.
HSTAR 7865 was written when an FHST map taken at 267/090023Z showed no stars in FHST-1.
Per HSTARs 7688 and 7867, the acquisitions at 267/120907Z and at 268/024233Z exhibited an out-of-limits condition for the "saved FGS error null bias". The measured values of the roll error were 1152.207 a-s and 1150.856 a-s, respectively.
The 486 engineering status buffer limits were adjusted at 268/1224Z as directed by ROP DF-18A.
3.0 SIGNIFICANT FORTHCOMING EVENTS:
Continuation of normal science observations and calibrations.
