Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report #2720 10/03/00
HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE
DAILY REPORT #2720
PERIOD COVERED: 0000Z (UTC) 10/02/00 – 0000Z (UTC) 10/03/00
Daily Status Report as of 277/0000Z
1.0 OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED AND ACCOMPLISHED:
1.1 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1 8145 (Abundances and Physical Conditions in the ISM of the Magellanic Clouds)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA1) was used to obtain high-resolution UV spectra of one star, SK155, in the SMC, as part of a detailed study of the interstellar medium in and toward the Magellanic Clouds — nearby systems of low metallicity and low dust-to-gas ratio for which stellar abundance data are also available. The proposal completed with no reported problems.
1.2 Completed Three 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 second recent shutter blade anomaly occurred during the third iteration of this proposal. Otherwise, the proposal completed with no further reported problems.
1.3 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.
1.4 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.
1.5 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.
1.6 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-3972 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.
1.7 Completed 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.
1.8 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.
1.09 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.
1.10 Completed STIS/CCD 8839 (CTE for Extended Targets, Cycle 9)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to determine the effect of Charge Transfer Efficiency {CTE} on photometry and spectrophotometry of extended sources. The proposal completed with no reported problems.
1.11 Completed S/C 5582 (FOC/48 Monthly Activation (Camera Section Only): Cycle 4)
This proposal was executed as scheduled, and no anomalies were noted.
1.12 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.
1.13 Completed FOC/96 7923 (FOC F/96 Turn-on)
The Faint Object Camera (f/96) was used to take an internal flat and a dark to ensure that the 30-day limit for the FOC is not
exceeded. The observations were executed as scheduled, and no anomalies were noted.
1.14 Completed STIS/CCD/MA2 8161 (Boron in the Magellanic Clouds: A Novel Test of Light Element Formation)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA2) was used to make observations of the star NGC-346-637 which is located in the Large Magellanic Cloud is order to study light element formation in that region. Observations of boron abundances in the Magellanic Clouds will provide a novel test of the assertion that boron is produced primarily through spallation reactions between cosmic rays and ambient interstellar nuclei. A wavelength calibration image was also taken. The observations were completed as planned, and no anomalies were reported.
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The following scheduled WF/PC-2 proposals were not executed when the instrument was placed in safe after the shutter anomaly discussed further in 2.3.
WF/PC-2 8805 (POMS Test Proposal: WFII Parallel Archive Proposal Continuation) WF/PC-2 8812 (Cycle 9 Internal Monitor)
WF/PC-2/STIS/CCD 8573 (Newborn Planets and Brown Dwarf Companions in IC 348) WF/PC-2 8059 (POMS Test Proposal: Targeted Parallel Archive Proposal) WF/PC-2 8822 (Decontaminations and Associated Observations Pt. 1/4)
2.0 FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUMMARY:
2.1 Guide Star Acquisitions:
Scheduled Acquisitions: 6
Successful: 6
Scheduled Re-acquisitions: 9
Successful: 9
2.2 FHST Updates:
Scheduled: 12
Successful: 12
2.3 Operations Notes:
Using ROP SR-1A, the SSR EDAC error counter was cleared three times.
SI C&DH errors were reset three times per ROP NS-5.
As reported in yesterday’s report and HSTAR 7880, the WF/PC-2 shutter blades appeared to be stuck at 276/085919Z, during the execution of a WF/PC-2 proposal (see 1.2). During the next scheduled WF/PC-2 proposal which began at 276/114120Z, the shutter blades again appeared to be stuck. Accordingly, at 276/114752Z, with STScI concurrence, the WF/PC-2 was safed in order to prevent potential damage to the shutter or contamination to the CCD. After these events, a morning status meeting was held, followed in the afternoon by a meeting with management. Several options are available (among them using only shutter B, using only AP or manual commanding, and inserting AP commanding after each observation to "clear" the problem) but no decisions have yet been made. Further meetings will be held today. Recovery of WF/PC-2 will not be performed until the problem is clearly understood and operational workarounds are established.
SSA transmitter #2 was turned on at 276/1330Z and turned off at 276/1356Z as directed by ROP IC-2.
Per ROP DF-18A, engineering status buffer limits were adjusted at 276/276/1625Z.
The NSSC-1 status buffer was dumped at 276/1805Z and at 276/2037Z, using ROP NS-3.
The ephemeris table was uplinked at 277/0044Z per ROP DF-07B.
Real-time operations were transferred to the Science Institute at 277/1000Z.
3.0 SIGNIFICANT FORTHCOMING EVENTS:
Continuation of normal science observations and calibrations.
