Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report #2861 – 30 Apr 2001
HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE
DAILY REPORT #2861
PERIOD COVERED: 0000Z (UTC) 04/27/01 – 0000Z (UTC) 04/30/01
Daily Status Report as of 120/0000Z
1.0 OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED AND ACCOMPLISHED:
1.1 Completed Seven 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 Five Sets of STIS/CCD 8864 (CCD Dark Monitor-Part 2)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to monitor
the darks for the CCD. The proposal completed nominally.
1.3 Completed WF/PC-2 8820 (Wavelength Stability of Narrow Band and
Linear Ramp Filters)
The WF/PC-2 was used to verify the mapping of wavelength as a
function of CCD position on linear ramp filters and to check for changes in
central wavelengths of the narrow band filters. The proposal completed
nominally.
1.4 Completed Twelve Sets of STIS/CCD 9248 (Probing the Large Scale
Structure: Cosmic Shear Observations)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to measure
the distortion of light bundles from distant galaxies that probe the
statistical properties of the intervening inhomogeneous {dark} matter
distribution. Its tidal gravitational field distorts the observable image
shapes thereby causing a coherent ellipticity pattern {Cosmic Shear}. The
observations completed nominally.
1.5 Completed STIS/CCD 8591 (The Smallest Nuclear Black Holes)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to observe
small nuclear black holes which are the last major unexplored part of BH
parameter space, searching for the smallest BHs that HST can possibly
find. The proposal completed with no reported anomalies.
1.6 Completed Four 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.
1.7 Completed STIS/CCD 8872 (Spectroscopy of a New Hot spot in SN 1987A)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to take
images and diagnostic spectra in the 2900–10250 A range of
rapidly-evolving hot spots and other shock features in the equatorial ring
surrounding SN 1987A. A combination of aperture positions through the low
and high resolution gratings will provide resolved data on all known and
any new hot spots in all optical emission lines. There were no reported
problems.
1.8 Completed Twelve Sets of WF/PC-2 9244 (POMS Test Proposal: WFII
Parallel Archive Proposal Continuation)
The WF/PC-2 was used to perform a generic target version of the
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. The observations completed with no anomalous
activity.
1.9 Completed Two Sets of 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.
1.10 Completed WF/PC-2 8781 (NGC 2363 V1: A Rare Case Of Major LBV
Eruption)
The WF/PC-2 was used to observe NGC 2363 which in January 1966,
revealed the presence of a new bright, blue star. It has been shown that
this star is a Luminous Blue variable {LBV} undergoing a major
outburst. The observation completed nominally, with no reported problems.
1.11 Completed Two Sets of STIS/CCD 8865 (Bias Monitor-Part 2)
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 with no anomalous activity.
1.12 Completed WF/PC-2 8677 (Extragalactic Novae: the Maximum Magnitude
– Rate of Decline Relation in NGC 4472)
The WF/PC-2 was used to accomplish two goals: {1} to provide the
first homogeneous observational constraints on theoretical models for novae
outbursts; and {2} to assess the reliability of novae as standard candles
by using WFPC2 to collect well sampled light curves for 20-50 novae in the
supergiant elliptical galaxy NGC 4472, the brightest galaxy within 30
Mpc. Both the length of the observing window and the temporal sampling of
the observations are specifically designed to ensure that the novae peak
magnitudes and decline rates are measured accurately. These data will be
used to construct the first `Maximum Magnitude versus Rate of Decline’
{MMRD} relation for a galaxy beyond the Local Group. This relation is not
only a potentially powerful standard candle, but its shape and dispersion
are directly linked to physical parameters which govern the physics of
novae outbursts such as the white dwarf mass, temperature and mass
accretion rate. The proposal completed with no reported problems.
1.13 Completed STIS/CCD/MA2 8594 (H-Deficient Condensations In Pne — A
Key To Discrepancies In Abundance Determinations)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA2) was used to
obtain deep long-slit spectra for the well-resolved H-deficient knots of A
30 and to search for such knots in A30-6.57AR. The data will yield the
spatially resolved temperature, density and ionization structure of the
knots in Abell 30, and, for the first time, accurate ORL C and O abundances
for them. The results will lead to a much better understanding of the
physics of such knots and their effects on abundance determinations
. There were no reported problems.
1.14 Completed STIS/CCD/MA2 8672 (Establishing the Gaseous Phases of
Galaxies Following the Epoch of Star Formation)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA2) was used in
an ambitious program designed to: {1} establish if high ionization,
metal-rich halos/coronae were in place as early as z~1, which would imply
that extended, early-epoch, galactic halos result from reprocessed galactic
gas and that the kinematics are mechanically driven; {2} obtain the first
comparison of the relative kinematics of low and high ionization species in
z~1 galaxies, covering a wide range of N{HI} environments and MgII
kinematic spreads up to ~400 km/s; {3} discriminate between single-phase
and multi-phase ionization, and therefore spatial, absorbing structures
{eg. MgII clouds embedded in diffuse high ionization halos}; and {4} place
constraints on the gas-phase metallicites in early-epoch galaxies. The
observations complete with no reported problems.
1.15 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1 8643 (Ultraviolet Properties of the Metal
Rich M87 Globular Cluster System)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA1) was used to
We propose to obtain far-ultraviolet photometry of the metal rich globular
cluster system of the elliptical galaxy M87. This system represents a key
link between the well-understood populations of the clusters and the hot
stars in elliptical galaxies, where our physical insight is presently
limited. The goal is to establish the relationship between cluster metal
abundance and the production of UV-bright populations of stars on the
“extreme horizontal branc”‘ at T{eff} > 16000K. No anomalies were reported.
1.16 Completed Three Sets of WF/PC-2 8583 (Imaging Snapshots of Asteroids)
The WF/PC-2 was used to obtain images of the fifty largest main
belt asteroids that have favorable apparitions during cycle 9. The images
will be searched for companion bodies, as well as mineralogical variegation
on the resolved main bodies. There were no reported problems.
1.17 Completed Two Sets of WF/PC-2 8602 (A Snapshot Survey of the Sites
of Recent, Nearby Supernovae)
The WF/PC-2 was used to conduct a snapshot survey in V and I of the
sites of the nearby SNe, which have precisely known positions, to obtain
high-resolution information on their local environment. The proposal
completed with no reported problems.
1.18 Completed FGS/1 8731 (A High Angular Resolution Survey of the Most
Massive Stars in the SMC)
Fine Guidance Sensor #1 was used to conduct high angular resolution
observations of some of the SMC’s hottest and most luminous objects by
conducting a comprehensive survey of nearly every spectral type in the
upper portion of the HR diagram. Binary or multiple star systems will be
detected down to an unprecedented level, more than one order of magnitude
better than possible with WFPC2. The targets selected include a
representative list of normal Main Sequence O-stars and their evolved
descendents, namely supergiants, hypergiants, LBVs, and WRs, many of which
have been previously observed by HST’s spectrometers for purposes of
cosmological calibrations. The observations completed, and no problems
were reported.
1.19 Completed Two Sets of FGS/1 9240 (Astrometric Mass Determination
of an Extrasolar Planet Candidate)
Fine Guidance Sensor-1R was used to perform astrometric
observations that will allow a quick measure of the sky-plane motion of 55
Cancri, a G star with an Msin{i} = 0.9 MJ radial velocity companion with a
14 day period. By using 7 pairs of visits, where each visit within a pair
has the same parallax factor, we will be able to accurately determine the
stars’s proper motion. The reflex motion of the star, due to its orbit
about the star-companion barycenter, will manifest itself as a systematic
residual to the measured proper motion if the companion is sufficiently
massive. There were no reported problems.
1.20 Completed STIS/CCD 8607 (Completing the Local AGN Inventory: The
AGN Content of Composite Nuclei)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to increase
the knowledge of the local space density of AGNs which is of fundamental
importance to a number of astrophysical problems. A significant fraction
of nearby galaxies have nuclei whose spectra are intermediate between those
of LINERs and nuclear starbursts. These “transition objects” may be
composite systems that contain both a central AGN and circumnuclear star
formation. We will test this hypothesis by obtaining spatially-resolved
optical spectra of a well-defined sample of 15 nearby transition nuclei
selected from the extensive ground-based survey of Ho, Filippenko, and
Sargent. The observations completed with no reported problems.
1.21 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1 8712 (The Wind Accretion Wake In A Detached
Binary System)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA1) was used to
observe RW Hya {= HD 117970}, the only known detached binary system, where
direct observational evidence for wind accretion onto a white dwarf is
found. UV
observations will enable the investigator to advance knowledge in a field
which has for long had to remain a theoretical subject. RW Hya is an
eclipsing system containing a mass-losing M-giant and a hot white dwarf on
circular orbits {370 days}. The observation completed with no reported
problems.
1.22 Completed WF/PC-2/STIS/MA1 8686 (LINERs in Early-type Galaxies:
Ionized by the UV-upturn Population?)
The WF/PC-2 and the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (MA1) were
used to investigate the presence of extended ionized gas with LINER spectra
in a large fraction {60-70%} of early-type galaxies. The observations
completed with no reported anomalies.
- Two Sets of WF/PC-2 8827 (Cycle 9 Supplemental Darks pt2/3)
- Two Sets of STIS/CCD 8864 (CCD Dark Monitor-Part 2)
- WF/PC-2 8820 (Wavelength Stability of Narrow Band and Linear Ramp Filters)
- Ten Sets of STIS/CCD 9248 (Probing the Large Scale Structure: Cosmic Shear
- Observations)
- STIS/CCD 8591 (The Smallest Nuclear Black Holes)
- WF/PC-2 8816 (Cycle 9 UV Earthflats)
- Two Sets of WF/PC-2 9244 (POMS Test Proposal: WFII Parallel Archive
- Proposal Continuation)
- Two Sets of WF/PC-2 8599 (A Census of Nuclear Star Clusters in Late-Type
- Spiral Galaxies)
- STIS/CCD 8865 (Bias Monitor-Part 2)
- WF/PC-2 8677 (Extragalactic Novae: the Maximum Magnitude – Rate of Decline
- Relation in NGC 4472)
- STIS/CCD/MA2 8672 (Establishing the Gaseous Phases of Galaxies Following
- the Epoch of Star Formation)
- Two Sets of WF/PC-2 8583 (Imaging Snapshots of Asteroids)
- FGS/1 8731 (A High Angular Resolution Survey of the Most Massive Stars in
- the SMC)
- STIS/MA1 8721 (An UV Imaging Survey of IR-Bright Star- Forming Galaxies)
- Three Sets of WF/PC-2 8667 (Nuclear Stellar Disks in Early Galaxies: Black
- Hole Masses and Disk/Bar/Bulge Evolution)
- STIS/CCD/MA2 8681 (Snapshot Survey of Variability of Narrow and Broad
- Associated Absorption Lines in Quasars)
- STIS/MA1 8572 (Identifying Normal Galaxies at 1.3 < z < 2.5)
- STIS/MA1 8862 (FUV-MAMA Cycle 9 Flats)
2.0 FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUMMARY:
2.1 Guide Star Acquisitions:
Scheduled Acquisitions: 20
Successful: 17
The acquisitions at 120/0208Z, 120/0352Z, and 120/0624Z failed.
Scheduled Re-acquisitions: 8
Successful: 7
The re-acquisition at 120/0755Z failed.
2.2 FHST Updates:
Scheduled: 55
Successful: 53
2.3 Operations Notes:
Using ROP SR-1A, the SSR EDAC error counter was cleared nine times.
On two occasions the CCS engineering status buffer limits were
adjusted per ROP DF-18A.
SSA transmitter #2 was turned on and off for the intervals
117/142246Z to 117/144453Z and 119/1655Z to 119/1723Z. SSA transmitter #1
was turned on and off for the intervals 119/1944Z to 119/2005Z, 120/0053Z
to 120/0122Z and 120/0244Z to 120/0314Z. In each case, ROP IC-2 was used.
The STIS MCE-1 reset at 118/120420Z while the low voltage was on
and while inside an SAA interval. Per ROP NS-12, the STIS flight software
error counter was cleared at 118/1428Z. MAMA-1 was recovered at
118/131317Z when the high voltage was turned on via SMA commanding.
A TTR was written for a required re-transmit of commands during a
486 load uplink at 118/0927Z.
HSTAR 8187 was written when an FHST map failed at 118/161908Z. No
stars were found in both FHST #2 and FHST #3.
At 118/201403Z, per HSTAR 8189, the HST entered Zero Gyro Sun Point
(ZGSP) mode when the gyro #5 motor currents exceeded the motor current
safemode test limit. The motor current reached approximately 330
mAmps. Gyro #2 was powered on and gyro #5 was
powered OFF at 118/2309Z. A
gyro re-configuration was completed by 119/0252Z. After recovery from ZGSP
at 119/1300Z and a period of closely monitoring the HST, a Health and
Safety Load was uplinked and then activated at 119/1331Z. FOC safe
recovery (part 1) was completed by 119/1159Z, STIS was recovered to operate
at 119/1705Z, WF/PC-2 auto-flush was enabled at 119/1710Z, at 119/2121Z
STIS CCD recovery was completed as was TEC Cool down, STIS MAMAs 1 and 2
low voltage was enabled at 119/2222Z, and FOC safing recovery (part 2) was
completed at 119/2225Z. Normal science operations re-commenced at
120/0000Z with the intercept of the science SMS.
The NSSC-1 status buffer was dumped and reset at 119/2138Z, using
ROP NS-3.
Per ROP NS-5, SI C&DH errors were reset at 119/2226Z.
Since normal science began, the gyro biases have been settling out,
but are still large enough to cause acquisition problems (see 2.1). These
failures are more completely documented in HSTAR 8192.
3.0 SIGNIFICANT FORTHCOMING EVENTS:
Continuation of normal science observations and calibrations.
