Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report #2924 30 Jul 2001
HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE
DAILY REPORT #2924
PERIOD COVERED: 0000Z (UTC) 07/27/01 – 0000Z (UTC) 07/30/01
Daily Status Report as of 211/0000Z
1.0 OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED AND ACCOMPLISHED:
1.1 Completed STIS/CCD 9121 (Evolution of the Host Galaxies in Low-
Power AGN)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to study
the evolution of low-power AGN host galaxies to z~1.3, allowing the direct
study of how the formation and life cycles of radio-loud AGN depend on
intrinsic power. There were no reported problems.
1.2 Completed Fifteen 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.
1.3 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.
1.4 Completed Two Sets of WF/PC-2 9255 (Cycle 10 WF/PC-2 Astrometric
Effects of CTE)
The WF/PC-2 was used to quantify the astrometric effects of CTE by
measuring: {1} the relative separation of a bright source vs. a faint
target at different positions on the PC1 CCD and {2} the relative motion of
a source on the CCD compared to very precise slews performed with the
FGSs. These tests will be conducted for point and extended targets at
several different intensity levels. No problems were encountered.
1.5 Completed Three 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. As documented in HSTAR 8286 and 2.1, the acquisition for the
second iteration of this proposal defaulted to fine lock backup on one FGS
only, possibly affecting one observation. Otherwise, the proposal
completed with no other anomalous activity.
1.6 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.
1.7 Completed Twenty 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. The
observations completed with no anomalous activity.
1.8 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.
1.9 Completed Ten Sets of FGS/1 9169 (An Interferometric Harvest of
Double Degenerates)
Fine Guidance Sensor #1 was used to observe the white dwarf mass
and age distributions that hold clues to the star formation history of our
Galaxy and the age of the disk. No problems were reported.
1.10 Completed Five Sets of WF/PC-2 9060 (Photometry of a Statistically
Significant Sample of Kuiper Belt Objects)
The WF/PC-2 was used to propel the physical study of KBOs forward
by performing accurate photometry at V, R, and I on a sample of up to 150
KBOs. The sample is made up of objects that will be observed at thermal
infrared wavelengths by SIRTF and will be used with those data to derive
the first accurate diameters and albedos for a large sample of KBOs. The
observations completed nominally.
1.11 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.
1.12 Completed WF/PC-2 8682 (A Snapshot Study of 0bservational Cosmology)
The WF/PC-2 was used to examine the observational constraints on
the cosmic star formation history that is currently among the most active
fields in observational cosmology. The most widely used tracer of the
co-moving volume-averaged star formation rate {SFR} is the UV luminosity
density, which early results found to peak at z~1- 2. The apparent
identification of the primary epoch of metal production and star formation
in the Universe led to intense theoretical and observational
interest. Nevertheless, and remarkably for such a fundamental observation,
little is known about the history of star formation in the Universe beyond
its global average. There were no reported anomalies.
1.13 Completed WF/PC-2 8720 (Masses and Multiplicity of Nearby Free-
floating Methane and L Dwarfs)
The WF/PC-2 was used to observe 50 very-low-mass objects in the
solar neighborhood with spectral types of L0 and later {including several
dwarfs with Methane absorption bands in their atmospheres}. These objects
will be observed in two filter bands with the aim to identify close
companions, measure their colors, and to obtain first epoch data of the
newly discovered binaries. The observations completed nominally.
1.14 Completed Four Sets of WF/PC-2 8828 (Cycle 9 Supplemental Darks pt3/3)
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 with no reported problems.
1.15 Completed WF/PC-2 8585 (Cosmological Parameters from Type Ia
Supernovae at High Redshift)
The WF/PC-2 was used to measure the cosmological parameters, Omega,
Lambda, and thus the curvature, Omega_k, using Type Ia supernovae {SNe Ia}
as calibrated standard candles. There were no reported problems.
1.16 Completed WF/PC-2 8220 (Galaxy M/L Ratios, the Morphology-Density
Relation, and Weak Lensing in the z=0.93 Cluster of 3C336)
The WF/PC-2 was used to obtain deep mosaic images for the radio
selected cluster around 3C336 at z=0.93. This proposal is the last part of
a program to take large HST WFPC2 mosaics of distant clusters. We augment
the HST mosaics of the clusters with extensive ground-based spectroscopy
and imaging from the Keck, MMT, ESO-VLT, NTT, and WHT telescopes. The
observations completed, and there were no reported problems.
1.17 Completed STIS/CCD 7912 (STIS Parallel Archive Proposal – Nearby
Galaxies – Imaging and Spectroscopy)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to make
parallel observations of nearby galaxies. This survey will be useful to
study the star formation histories, chemical evolution, and distances to
these galaxies. These data will be placed immediately into the Hubble Data
Archive. The observations were completed as scheduled, and no problems
were reported.
1.18 Completed WF/PC-2 9043 (Cepheid Distances to Early-type Galaxies)
The WF/PC-2 was used to continue observations in the HST Key
Project on the Extragalactic Distance Scale and the HST project on the
“Calibration of Nearby Type Ia Supernovae” that have greatly improved our
knowledge of the Hubble Constant by providing a solid zero point for the
Tully- Fisher {TF} relation and Type Ia Supernovae {SNIa}. However, severe
inconsistencies remain for distance estimators to early-type galaxies such
as surface brightness fluctuations {SBF}, the planetary nebula luminosity
function {PNLF}, the fundamental plane {FP}, and the globular cluster
luminosity function {GCLF}. As a result, the distance to the Virgo cluster
core remains uncertain by as much as 20 determination is directly affected
by a lingering 0.1 mag {5 uncertainty in the photometric calibration of the
WFPC2. Resolving these issues is essential not only to firm up the
extragalactic distance scale, but also to understand the mass and velocity
structure of the local universe. SBF in particular is emerging as the
method of choice for mapping local velocity fields to 10, 000 kms because
it offers an order of magnitude less Malmquist bias than TF, and SNIa are
too rare to study large scale flows effectively. This project will tighten
the photometric calibration of the WFPC2, and provide a solid Cepheid
calibration for SBF and PNLF. The observations completed nominally.
1.19 Completed Two Sets of WF/PC-2 9160 (Disks and Envelopes of Nearby
Nebulous Young Stellar Objects: A Snapshot Survey)
The WF/PC-2 was used to perform a snapshot survey of nearby
nebulous young stellar objects to study the detailed morphology of the
their disks and envelopes and probe the effect of inclination on the
infrared spectral energy distribution of disk/envelope systems. As
documented in HSTAR 8286 and 2.1, the acquisition for the first iteration
of this proposal defaulted to fine lock backup on one FGS only, possibly
affecting three observations. Otherwise, the proposal completed as planned.
1.20 Completed Two Sets of FGS/1 9097 (The Mass-Luminosity Relationship
for High Mass Stars: Resolving the `Mass Discrepancy’ with HST)
Fine Guidance Sensor #1 was used to investigate the mass-luminosity
relation for very low mass stars. This relationship is well determined for
intermediate-mass stars. The observations completed with no reported problems.
1.21 Completed Three Sets of STIS/MA1 8572 (Identifying Normal Galaxies
at 1.3 < z < 2.5)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (MA1) 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.
1.22 Completed WF/PC-2 9042 (An Archive To Detect The Progenitors Of
Massive, Core-Collapse Supernovae)
The WF/PC-s was used to search for supernovae which have massive
star progenitors. The already extensive HST archive and high-resolution
ground-based images of galaxies within ~20 Mpc enables us to resolve and
quantify their individual bright stellar content. As massive, evolved
stars are the most luminous single objects in a galaxy, the progenitors of
core-collapse supernovae should be directly detectable on pre-explosion
images. One Type II progenitor has been observed this year, and the
investigators have proposed a short, companion WFPC2 proposal to confirm
this candidate and identify a second. The observations completed nominally.
1.23 Completed FGS/1 9038 (The Evolution of Cataclysmic Variable Stars)
Fine Guidance Sensor #1R was used to observe EM Cygni, one of the
most well-known cataclysmic variable stars {CVs} that is very likely in a
triple system with a spatially-unresolved K dwarf. EM Cyg has well
measured masses, and the white dwarf’s mass of 1.1 Msun shows that it must
have come from an AGB star. This, together with considerations of binary
evolution, can be used to predict a lower limit to the present-day
separation of EM Cyg and the K dwarf of > 18, AU. Ground-based imaging
only puts an upper limit on the angular separation of 0.2”, equivalent to
< 60, AU at the 300, pc distance of EM Cyg; this does not seriously test
the evolutionary prediction. With HST and FGS1R, on the other hand, we can
resolve a separation 6 AU, providing a direct test of the evolutionary path
that leads to CVs, as well as to the Super-Soft X-ray sources widely
believed to be the progenitors of Type Ia supernovae. The proposal had no
reported anomalous activity.
1.24 Completed WF/PC-2 9045 (The Relationship Between Radio Luminosity
and Radio-Loud AGN Host Galaxy Properties)
The WF/PC-2 was used to determine the relationship between the
properties of the host galaxies of radio-loud AGN and their radio
luminosities. Previous studies in this area with the HST have concentrated
on the 3C sample which shows a tight correlation between luminosity and
redshift, such that evolutionary effects cannot be distinguished from those
depending upon radio luminosity. Our sample of 46 radio galaxies at z ~
0.5 comes from four complete, low-frequency-selected samples of radio
sources with differing flux limits. Thus the total sample spans an
unprecedented three orders of magnitude in radio luminosity at a fixed
redshift interval. The proposal completed with no reported problems.
1.25 Completed WF/PC-2 8773 (Expansion Parallax Distances to Planetary
Nebulae)
The WF/PC-2 was used to observe planetary nebulae {PNe} for which
the lack of reliable distances is especially troubling. Acquired by
generalized statistical methods in all but a handful of cases, individual
PNe distances are often uncertain by factors of two or more. The
observations completed nominally.
1.26 Completed STIS/CCD 9066 (Closing in on the Hydrogen Reionization
Edge of the Universe)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used in parallel
constrain the Hydrogen reionization edge in emission that marks the
transition from a neutral to a fully ionized IGM at a predicted
redshifts. The proposal completed uneventfully.
1.27 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.
2.0 FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUMMARY:
2.1 Guide Star Acquisitions:
Scheduled Acquisitions: 39
Successful: 39
The acquisition at 209/210231Z defaulted to fine lock backup on
FGS-1 only when the scan step limit was exceeded on FGS-2. HSTAR 8286 was
written. The proposals described in 1.5 and 1.19 may have been affected.
Scheduled Re-acquisitions: 12
Successful: 12
2.2 FHST Updates:
Scheduled: 88
Successful: 86
As detailed in HSTAR 8287, the full maneuver updates scheduled at
211/051500Z and at 211/051745Z failed.
2.3 Operations Notes:
Using ROP SR-1A, the SSR EDAC error counter was cleared six times.
The 486 engineering status buffer limits were adjusted four times
per ROP DF-18A.
Two TTRs were written for required re-transmits during NSSC-1
uplinks. In each case ROP NS-5 was used to reset SI C&DH errors.
The STIS MCE-2 reset at 208/215522Z while the low voltage was on
and while outside any SAA interval. ROP NS-12 was used to reset the STIS
flight software error counter at 208/2204Z.
The STIS flight software error counter was reset at 209/2109Z (ROP
NS-12) and SI C&DH errors were reset at 209/2127Z (ROP NS-5).
There was a STIS EMC retry at 210/122434Z. ROP NS-12 was used to
reset the STIS flight software error counter at 210/1246Z.
3.0 SIGNIFICANT FORTHCOMING EVENTS:
Continuation of normal science observations and calibrations.
