Status Report

Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report #2777 01/02/01

By SpaceRef Editor
January 2, 2001
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HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE
 
  DAILY REPORT #2777
 
PERIOD COVERED:  0000Z (UTC) 12/27/00 – 0000Z (UTC) 01/02/01
 
Daily Status Report as of 002/0000Z
 
1.0 OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED AND ACCOMPLISHED:
 
    1.1 Completed Six 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.
 
    1.2 Completed Fifteen 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.
 
    1.3 Completed 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.
 
    1.4 Completed Two Sets of 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 22892-052.  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
 
    1.5 Completed Seventeen 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 HSTARs 8020 and 8021, the acquisitions for the second and fourth iterations of this proposal defaulted to fine lock backup on one FGS only, possibly affecting all observations in those iterations.  Otherwise, the proposal completed with no other reported problems.
 
    1.6 Completed Twelve 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.
 
    1.7 Completed Three Sets of STIS/MA1/MA2 8843 (Cycle 9 MAMA Dark Measurements)
 
        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (MA1 and MA2) was used to perform the routine monitoring of the MAMA detector dark noise.  The proposal completed nominally
 
    1.8 Completed WF/PC-2/STIS/CCD/MA1/MA2 8207 (The Ofpe/WN Stars In M33: Understanding Wolf-Rayet Star Formation In Different Environments)
 
        Both WF/PC-2 and the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD, MA1 and MA2) were used to make observations of Wolf-Rayet stars in the galaxy M-33.  WF/PC-2 imaging parallel to the primary spectroscopy in UBV and FUV filters will substantially extend our study of the hot massive star population and populous stellar clusters in this galaxy.  A wavelength calibration image was also taken.  The observations were completed as planned, and no anomalies were reported.
 
    1.9 Completed Six 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.
 
    1.10 Completed Three Sets of STIS/CCD 8624 (Imaging and Spectroscopy of Dusty Circumstellar Disks)
 
        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to further understanding of the properties and evolution of dusty disks in the circumstellar environments of young stars which is a key element in furthering our concepts of the formation mechanisms of extra-solar planetary systems.  As described in HSTARs 8020 and 8021, the acquisitions for the first and third iterations of this proposal defaulted to fine lock backup on one FGS only, possibly affecting all observations in those iterations.  Otherwise, the proposal completed with no other reported problems.
 
    1.11 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.
 
    1.12 Completed Seven 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.
 
    1.13 Completed Six 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.  The observations completed with no reported problems.
 
    1.14 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.  The observations completed nominally.
 
    1.15 Completed Nineteen 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.
 
    1.16 Completed STIS/MA1 8657 (Jovian Auroral Variability Due to the Solar Wind/Magnetosphere Interaction)
 
        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (MA1) was used to observe Jupiter, covering nearly complete Jupiter rotations, permitting the observers to perform several known key measurements of the auroral emissions, and also to study uniquely the effects of solar wind variations on the auroral morphology.  The proposal completed nominally.
 
    1.17 Completed STIS/CCD 8187 (STIS Imaging of the Deep NICMOS Parallel Fields: Building on the NICMOS Legacy)
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        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to make observations of field #0457 that was previously observed using deep images from the NICMOS camera.  The STIS images will yield visual morphologies to magnitudes of 24.5 and quantitative measures of image structure to 26.5 or fainter in two orbits.  The observations were completed as planned, and no problems were reported.
 
    1.18 Completed WF/PC-2 Two Sets of 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.
 
    1.19 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 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 observations completed as planned.
 
    1.20 Completed Two Sets of 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.
 
    1.21 Completed Five Sets of 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.
 
    1.22 Completed WF/PC -2 8177 (Investigating Type Ia Supernovae and an Accelerating Universe)
 
        The WF/PC-2 was used to obtain rest frame U and B photometry for four z~ 0.85 Supernova (SN) Ia.  These observations will be coupled to ground-based rest frame V photometry and spectra.  These data, combined with previous samples, will extend the D_L vs. z diagram for SN Ia to z~0.85, and allow us to discriminate the redshift dependence of supernova magnitudes in an accelerating Universe from that expected to result from systematic effects such as age of the stellar population, chemical evolution, a drift in the properties of dust, and weak gravitational lensing.  The proposal completed with no reported problems.
 
    1.23 Completed WF/PC-2 8269 (The Morphological Evolution of Field Galaxies)
 
        The WF/PC-2 was used to make observations of the near-infrared field galaxy CETUS-3 in order to study its morphology.  The observations were completed as planned, and no anomalies were reported.
 
    1.24 Completed Two Sets of WF/PC-2 8584 (Calibrating the Metallicity Dependence of the Cepheid PL Relation)
 
        The WF/PC-2 was used to determine the uncertainty in the metal abundance dependence of the Cepheid PL relation that remains as one of the largest sources of systematic error in the Cepheid distance scale and in the extragalactic distance scale as a whole.  There were no reported problems.
 
    1.25 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1 8190 Luminous Infrared Galaxies- Superstarbursts or AGN)
 
        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA1) was used to obtain high resolution spectroscopy of four of the nearest `warm’ ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIGs) that were discovered in the IRAS database, and for which we have recently obtained WFPC2 images in B, I filters.  These objects are thought to represent a critical evolutionary link between ULIGs and optically selected QSOs.  The observations completed with no reported problems.
 
    1.26 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1 8610 (A Black Hole Offset from the Host Galaxy Mass Center?)
 
        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA1) was used to observe Seyfert galaxy, NGC2110, with its striking twin, that is a unique and valuable test case for the offset-nucleus phenomenon since, despite its remarkably normal rotation curve, its kinematically-measured mass center is displaced both spatially and kinematically from the active nucleus, as seen both in optical and radio studies.  However, the central kinematics, where the rotation curve rises most steeply, are inaccessible with ground-based resolutions.  The proposal completed with no problems.
 
    1.27 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.
 
    1.28 Completed WF/PC-2 7466 (From Globular Clusters to Tidal Dwarfs: Structure Formation in Tidal Tails)
 
        The WF/PC-2 was used to study the range of substructures found within the tidal tails of the classic mergers NGC 4038/9, NGC 3921, NGC 7252, and NGC 3256.  Structures as large as dwarf Irregulars are found within the tidal debris of each system, and we wish to explore whether there is a continuum of structure all the way down to globular clusters, which are found in such high numbers in the central regions of these mergers.  There were no reported problems.
 
    1.29 Completed FGS/1R 8618 (Parallaxes of Magnetic CVs)
 
        Fine Guidance Sensor 1R was used to gather data for the calculation of trigonometric parallaxes of cataclysmic variable {CVs} which are needed to obtain reliable information on luminosities, accretion rates, and on radii and masses of the stellar components.  They are also needed to derive the space density, an important ingredient for theories of CV
evolution.  The observations completed with no reported problems.
 
    1.30 Completed STIS/CCD/MA2 8673(The Properties of Ly-Alpha Absorbers at Redshifts Between 0.9HST)
 
        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA2) was used obtain new Echelle resolution spectra of three bright quasars which, when combined with archived and scheduled observations, will be used to characterize the properties of Ly-Alpha absorbers in the redshift range 0.9<z<1.6.  There were no reported problems.
 
    1.31 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.
 
    1.32 Completed 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.
 
    1.33 Completed STIS/CCD 8189 (The Source of Gamma Ray Bursts and the Nature of their Hosts)
 
        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to make high resolution optical and ultraviolet observations of the Gamma Ray Burster (GRB) 980326 and its host galaxy.  This comprehensive set of observations will provide new insights into the astrophysics of GRBs and their high redshift host galaxies.  The observations were completed as planned, and no problems were reported.
 
    1.34 Completed WF/PC-2 8814 (Cycle 9 Redleak Check)
 
        The WF/PC-2 was used to obtain an on-orbit verification of the red leak in UV filters by observing solar analog standard stars in the UV.  There were no reported problems.
 
    1.35 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.
 
    1.36 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1 8633 (The Physical Parameters of the Hottest, Most Luminous Stars as a Function of Metallicity)
 
        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA1) was used to obtain higher spatial resolution data on the H Alpha line for six of our stars for which nebular contamination is significant even with long-slit subtraction in our ground- based data.  There were no reported problems.
 
    1.37 Completed Four Sets of WF/PC-2 8811 (Cycle 9 Standard Darks)
 
        The WF/PC-2 was used to obtain dark frames every week in order to provide data for the ongoing calibration of the CCD dark current rate, and to monitor and characterize the evolution of hot pixels.  Over an extended period these data will also provide a monitor of radiation damage to the CCDs.  The proposal completed with no reported problems.
 
    1.38 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 MRC0350-27 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.
 
    1.39 Completed WF/PC-2 8095 (Accurate Proper Motions of Galactic Halo Populations)
 
        The WF/PC-2 was used to make observations of the galaxy Carina-064 in order to study the proper motion of its galactic halo population, which include globular clusters and dwarf galaxies.  The proper motions of these populations will be determined to unprecedented accuracy, approximately an order of magnitude better than has been previously possible.  The observations were executed as scheduled, and no anomalies were noted.
 
    1.40 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.
 
    1.41 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.
 
    1.42 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1/MA2 8857 (MAMA Sensitivity and Focus Monitor C9)
 
        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD, MA1 and MA2) was used to monitor the sensitivity of each MAMA grating mode to detect any change due to contamination or other causes.  There were no problems.
 
2.0 FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUMMARY:
 
    2.1 Guide Star Acquisitions:
      Scheduled Acquisitions: 47
Successful: 47
 
        Per HSTAR 8020, the acquisition scheduled for 362/133916Z defaulted to fine lock backup on FGS–1 only when the scan step limit was exceeded for FGS-2.  The proposals detailed in 1.5 and 1.10 may have been affected.
 
        Then, per HSTAR 8021, the acquisition scheduled for 362/165753Z also defaulted to fine lock backup on FGS–1 only when the scan step limit was exceeded for FGS-2.  The proposals detailed in 1.5 and 1.10 may have been affected.
  Scheduled Re-acquisitions: 48
Successful: 48
 
    2.2 FHST Updates:
Scheduled: 95
Successful: 95
 
    2.3 Operations Notes:
 
        Real-time operations occurred at the Science Institute SIMOR except for the period 365/0230Z to 366/2230Z when they were conducted from the GSFC MOR.
 
        Using ROP SR-1A, the SSR EDAC error counter was cleared sixteen times.
 
        On four occasions, the engineering status buffer limits were adjusted as directed by ROP DF-18A.
 
        Per ROP IC-2, SSA transmitter #1 was turned on at 362/1600Z and turned off at 362/1636Z.  Using the same ROP, SSA transmitter #2 was turned on at 364/0342Z and turned off at 364/0414Z.  Later the same transmitter was turned on for the interval 366/1405Z to 366/1431Z.
 
        The NSSC-1 status buffer was dumped and reset at 364/1432Z, using ROP NS-3.
 
        TTRs were generated for three required manual sends on days 365, 336, and 001.
 
        ROP SR-8A was utilized to set AER at 366/2302Z to cover possible data loss at the beginning of the new year.
 
        Another TTR was created when the GCMR capability was unavailable for the interval 366/0016Z until 336/0117Z due to leap day problems at the NCC.
 
        ESTR-2 re-conditioning was performed at 001/1515Z per ROP RD-7A.
 
        The ephemeris table was uplinked at 002/0046Z as directed by ROP DF-07A.
 
      Yet another TTR was generated when a Mode2 GCMR failed due to a WSC data interface failover problem.  This resulted in the loss of 32k engineering data for one minute, 52 seconds beginning at 002/0111Z.
 
3.0 SIGNIFICANT FORTHCOMING EVENTS:
 
        Continuation of normal science observations and calibrations.

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