Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report #2776 12/27/00
HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE
DAILY REPORT #2776
PERIOD COVERED: 0000Z (UTC) 12/22/00 – 0000Z (UTC) 12/27/00
Daily Status Report as of 362/0000Z
1.0 OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED AND ACCOMPLISHED:
1.1 Completed Ten Sets of WF/PC-2 8827 (Cycle 9 Supplemental Darks pt2/3)
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.
1.2 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.
1.3 Completed Four Sets of WF/PC-2 8815 (Cycle 9 Earth Flats)
The WF/PC-2 was used to monitor flatfield stability. This proposal obtains sequences of Earth streak flats to construct high quality flat fields for the WF/PC-2 filter set. These flat fields will allow mapping of the OTA illumination pattern and will be used in conjunction with previous internal and external flats to generate new pipeline superflats. The proposal completed nominally.
1.4 Completed Nine 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.
1.5 Completed Three Sets of STIS/CCD 8881 (An Unbiased Survey of X-Ray and Optical Emission From Extended Radio Jets in AGN)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to an X-ray bright jet in the distant quasars PKS 1136-135, 0405-123, and 1105+018 that show that X-rays can be energetically dominant in relativistic jets. The observations completed nominally.
1.6 Completed Six Sets of WF/PC-2 8883 (POMS Test Proposal: WFII Backup Parallel Archive Proposal II)
The WF/PC-2 was used to complete a POMS test proposal designed to simulate scientific plans. There were no reported problems.
1.7 Completed Five 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. As described in HSTAR 8018 and 2.1, for the fourth iteration of this proposal, the acquisition failed, and the take data flag remained down. Otherwise, the proposal completed nominally.
1.8 Completed Nine Sets of FGS/1R 8469 (Calibrating FGS1R’s Optical Field Angle Distortion {OFAD})
Fine Guidance Sensor 1R was used to gather the data needed to calibrate the optical field angle distortions in FGS1R to the level of accuracy required for astrometry science. Selected stars from the galactic cluster M35 are repeatedly observed in POSITION mode by FGS1R with the F583W filter at a variety of spacecraft pointings and telescope roll angles. There were no problems.
1.9 Completed Twenty-four Sets of STIS/CCD 8562 (Probing the Large Scale Structure: Cosmic Shear Observations)
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.
1.10 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.
1.11 Completed Three Sets of STIS/CCD/MA1 8691 (Calibrating the Cosmic Meter Stick: The Distance to the LMC Using Eclipsing Binaries)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA1) was used to measure the LMC distance which is crucial for the calibration of the Cosmic Distance Scale. As described in HSTAR 8016 and the previous report, the acquisition for the second iteration of this proposal defaulted to fine lock backup on one FGS only, possibly affecting three observations. Then, as described in HSTAR 8018 and 2.1, for the third iteration of this proposal, the acquisition failed, and the take data flag remained down. Additionally, as described in HSTAR 8019 and 2.1, another acquisition during the third iteration of this proposal defaulted to fine lock backup on one FGS only. Otherwise, the observations completed with no other reported problems.
1.12 Completed Three Sets of 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. As described in HSTAR 8016 and the previous report, the acquisition for the second iteration of this proposal defaulted to fine lock backup on one FGS only, possibly affecting eight
observations. Additionally, as described in HSTAR 8019 and 2.1, the acquisition for the third iteration of this proposal defaulted to fine lock backup on one FGS only also. Otherwise, the observations completed nominally.
1.13 Completed Two Sets of STIS/CCD 8836 (Performance Monitor {Cycle 9})
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to measure the baseline performance and commandability of the CCD subsystem. Only primary amplifier D was used. Bias and Flat Field
exposures were taken in order to measure read noise, CTE, and
gain. Numerous bias frames were taken to permit construction of "superbias" frames in which the effects of read noise have been rendered negligible. Full frame and binned observations were made, with binning factors of 2 x 1, 1 x 2, 2 x 2, 4 x 1, and 4 x 2. Dark images were taken in 2×2 binning mode; 1×1 binning darks are being taken in the nominal CCD Dark Monitor. The exercise completed nominally.
1.14 Completed STIS/CCD 8845 (Spectroscopic Flats C9)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to obtain CCD flats in the spectroscopic mode. The observations completed with no reported problems.
1.15 Completed Two Sets of FGS/1R 8832 (Long Term Monitoring in Position Mode)
Fine Guidance Sensor-!R was used to observe the relative positions of stars in a standard cluster at a fixed telescope pointing and orientation coordinates. The evolution of rhoA and kA were monitored and calibrated to preserve the astrometric integrity of the FGS. It is well known for our experience with FGS3, and later with FGS1r, that an FGS experiences long term evolution, presumably due to disorption of water from the instrument’s graphite epoxy composites. This manifests principally as a change in the plate scale and secondarily as a change in the
distortions. The proposal completed nominally, with no reported problems.
1.16 Completed WF/PC-2/STIS/CCD 8324 (The Structure and Kinematics of Irradiated Disks and Associated High Velocity Features in Orion)
Both the WF/PC-2 and the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) were used to make observations of high velocity feature M-42-HST2 located within the Orion Nebula. The STIS provides us with a unique opportunity to study the early evolution of proto-planetary disks and their chances of survival in the harsh irradiated environments of OB class associations where most stars form. A wavelength calibration observation was also taken. The observations were completed as planned, and no anomalies were reported.
1.17 Completed WF/PC-2 8326 (Colliding Stellar Winds and
Proto-Planetary Dynamics)
The WF/PC-2 was used to investigate the interaction between a fast post-AGB collimated wind and a slowly expanding, dense AGB wind which is believed to be the dominant dynamical effect in the evolution of protoplanetary nebulae {PPNe} and the shaping of planetary nebula OH231.8+4.2. The proposal completed with no reported problems.
1.18 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.
1.19 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1 8224 (UV Imaging of Europa & Ganymede: Unveiling Satellite Aurora & Electrodynamical Interactions)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA1) was used to make ultraviolet observations of the aurora of Jupiter’s moon
Ganymede. This is to isolate atomic oxygen {1304 and 1356 Angstrom} and hydrogen {Lyman-Alpha} emissions, to study the interaction of the Jovian magnetosphere with its moons. A wavelength calibration image was also taken. The observations were executed as scheduled, and no anomalies were noted.
1.20 Completed WF/PC-2 8215 (New Clues to the Ejection Process in Young Stars: Forbidden Line Imaging of T-Tauri Micro-Jets
The WF/PC-2 was used to observe classical T Tauri stars which offer a unique opportunity to progress on the problem of the fundamental role of bipolar outflows in star formation, as their optical forbidden line emission is allowed to trace collimated winds very close to the central star. Determining the exact flow geometry and the line excitation mechanism is essential in order to obtain new clues to the mass-loss process in young stars. The observations completed with no reported problems.
1.21 Completed Four Sets of WF/PC-2/STIS/CCD 8641 (Testing the Accelerating Universe)
The WF/PC-2 and the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) were used to observe Type Ia supernovae which provide evidence for an accelerating universe: an extraordinary result that needs to be rigorously tested. The observations completed with no reported problems.
1.22 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.
1.23 Completed STIS/CCD 8685 (Isolated Compact Stellar Systems In The Fornax Cluster)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to observe a new population of compact objects in the center of the Fornax Cluster. These objects have spectra typical of old stellar systems, but are unresolved in ground- based imaging. They are all at least 10 times more luminous than any Galactic globular clusters, but fainter than any known compact dwarf galaxies. They may be a new class of intermediate object, neither globular clusters nor dwarf galaxies but something in between. The observations completed nominally.
1.24 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.
1.25 Completed Two Sets of STIS/CCD 8840 (Read Noise Monitor)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to measure the read noise of all the amplifiers on the STIS CCD using pairs of bias frames. Full frame and binned observations are made in both Gain 1 and Gain 4, with binning factors of 1 x 1, 1 x 2, 2 x 1 and 2 x 2. All exposures are internals. The observations completed with no reported problems.
1.26 Completed STIS/CCD 8253 (Jet Acceleration of Narrow Line Region Gas)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to make observations of the Markarian galaxy NGC-2110-OF to study its jet acceleration of narrow line Gas regions. A wavelength calibration image was also taken. The observations were executed as scheduled, and no anomalies were noted.
1.27 Completed WF/PC-2 8390 (Expansion Parallax Distances to Planetary Nebulae)
The WF/PC-2 was used to make observations of the planetary nebula NGC-3132 in order to study its parallax distance. The largest impediment to our understanding of planetary nebulae is the lack of reliable distances. The observations were executed as scheduled, and no anomalies were noted.
1.28 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.
1.29 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-5005 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.
1.30 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.
1.31 Completed STIS/MA1/MA2 8201 (Ultra-luminous Infrared Galaxies)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (MA1 and MA2) was used to make ultraviolet observations of the ultra-luminous infrared galaxy IRAS01053. Ultra-luminous Infrared Galaxies are the most luminous galaxies known in the local universe, and are predominantly powered by massive star formation. The observations were executed as scheduled, and no anomalies were noted.
1.32 Completed Two Sets of 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.
1.33 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 Group. As described in HSTAR 8018 and 2.1, for the third iteration of this proposal, the acquisition failed, and the take data flag remained down. Otherwise, the proposal completed with no reported problems.
1.34 Completed STIS/MA1 8843 (Cycle 9 MAMA Dark Measurements)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (MA1) was used to perform the routine monitoring of the MAMA detector dark noise. The proposal completed nominally.
1.35 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.
1.36 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1 8590 (UV Imaging and Spectroscopy of Luminous Blue Compact Galaxies from z=0 to z=1)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA1) was to be used to observe two well-defined samples of low-mass starburst galaxies, one in the local universe {z<0.1} and another at intermediate redshifts {0.2 < z < 0.7. During this proposal, as described in HSTAR 8018 and 2.1, the acquisition failed, the take data flag remained down and all subsequent observations were lost.
1.37 Completed S/C 5582 (FOC/48 Monthly Activation (Camera Section Only): Cycle 4)
This proposal was executed as scheduled, and no anomalies were noted. anomalies were noted.
1.38 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1 8662 (A Snapshot Survey of the Hot Interstellar Medium)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD And MA1) was used to obtain snapshot STIS echelle observations of key tracers of hot interstellar gas {C IV, N IV, and Si IV} for selected FUSE Team O VI survey targets with known UV fluxes. By taking advantage of the snapshot observing mode we will efficiently obtain a large number of spectra suitable for the study of the highly ionized hot component of the interstellar medium {ISM}. Our goals are to explore the physical conditions in and distribution of such gas, as well as to explore the nature of the interfaces between the hot ISM and the other interstellar gas phases. The observations completed with no reported problems.
1.39 Completed Two Sets of 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.
1.40 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.
1.41 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.
1.42 Completed WF/PC-2 8823 (Decontaminations and Associated Observations Pt. 2/4)
The WF/PC-2 was used for the monthly WFPC2 decons. Also included were 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.
1.43 Completed Two Sets of STIS/CCD 8884 (POMS Test Proposal: STIS Non-Scripted Parallel Proposal Continuation)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to take parallel images of random areas of the sky. The proposal completed nominally.
1.44 Completed Two Sets of WF/PC-2 8587 (Stroemgren Photometry of Globular Clusters in M87: Breaking the Age- Metallicity Degeneracy)
The WF/PC-2 was used to further demonstrate that the globular cluster {GC} systems of most, and possibly all, luminous galaxies show bimodal distributions in broadband color and, by implication, age and/or metallicity. Whatever its origin, this bimodality {which is observed in giant galaxies that span a wide range in Hubble Type and local environment} must hold a fundamental clue to the process of galaxy formation. The technique of this proposal hinges on the ability of Stroemgren photometry to decouple the effects of age and metallicity for large samples of GCs, and will provide the first strong constraints on the various galaxy formation models. There were no reported problems.
1.45 Completed Six Sets of STIS/CCD 8260 (Searching for the Hydrogen Reionization Edge of the Universe at 5HST)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to observe one of 36 parallel orbits {4–5 fields of 5–8 orbits each} to constrain the H Lyman-edge in emission that marks the transition from a neutral to a fully ionized IGM at a predicted zion~eq5–15. This edge is due to recombination from the H Lyman series and Lyman continuum, and can be used to constrain zion, one of the most important unknown quantities in large scale structure and cosmology. The proposal completed nominally.
1.46 Completed Two Sets of STIS/CCD 8664 (Structural Measurement of Globular Clusters in M31 and NGC 5128: Stalking the Fundamental Plane)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to observe in the snapshot mode to image a wide selection of individual globular clusters in two other large galaxies {M31 and NGC 5128} for measurement of their structural parameters {r_c, c, central surface brightness}. We will use these to compute their binding energies and define the FP in these two galaxies. Comparison with the Milky Way will then give us powerful new information on just how “universal” the cluster formation process was in the early protogalaxies. The observations completed with no reported problems.
1.47 Completed STIS/CCD/MA2 8111 (CS 22892–052: A Rosetta Star for the Age and Early History of the Galaxy)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA2) was used to make observations of the "Rosetta" star CS 22892. These observations should provide significant new information about the early history of the galaxy, specifically the nature of the earliest generations of stars and the types of nucleosynthetic processes that occurred in those stars. The observations were executed as scheduled, and no anomalies were noted.
2.0 FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUMMARY:
2.1 Guide Star Acquisitions:
Scheduled Acquisitions: 48
Successful: 47
Per HSTAR 8018, the acquisition at 360/081822Z failed to gyro control when the scan search radius limit was exceeded on FGS-1. The proposals detailed in 1.7, 1.11, 1.33 and 1.37 were affected.
As documented in HSTAR 8019, the acquisition at 360/095700Z defaulted to fine lock backup on FGS-2 only when a walkdown failure occurred on FGS-1. The proposals described in 1.11 and 1.12 may have been affected.
Scheduled Re-acquisitions: 34
Successful: 34
2.2 FHST Updates:
Scheduled: 118
Successful: 117
The full maneuver update scheduled at 358/0256Z failed.
2.3 Operations Notes:
Using ROP SR-1A, the SSR EDAC error counter was cleared on fifteen occasions.
The engineering status buffer (ESB) limits were adjusted three times and the ESB was dumped and cleared twice as directed by ROP DF-18A.
The STIS MCE-2 reset at 357/174756Z while the low voltage was on and while outside any SAA interval. Per ROP NS-12, the STIS flight software error counter was reset at 357/1750Z. MAMA-2 was recovered at 360/0127Z, the time of the next scheduled high voltage on event, via normal SMS commanding.
Per ROP IC-2, SSA transmitter #1 was turned on at 358/0801Z and turned off at 358/0813Z. It was again turned on at 360/2234Z and turned off at 360/2251Z.
Per ROP NS-12, the STIS flight software error counter was reset at 360/0840Z following the reception of a STIS 710 error.
SSA transmitter #2 was turned on for the interval 360/0957Z to 360/1014Z, per ROP IC-2.
The ephemeris table was uplinked at 361/0235Z, using ROP DF-07A.
3.0 SIGNIFICANT FORTHCOMING EVENTS:
Continuation of normal science observations and calibrations.
