Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report #2943 – 24 Aug 2001

HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE


DAILY REPORT #2943

PERIOD COVERED: 0000Z (UTC) 08/23/01 – 0000Z (UTC) 08/24/01

Daily Status Report as of 236/0000Z

1.0 OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED AND ACCOMPLISHED:

1.1 Completed Five 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.

1.2 Completed Two Sets of STIS/CCD 8907 (Spectroscopic Flats C10)

The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to obtain
CCD flats in the spectroscopic mode. There were no reported problems.

1.3 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1/MA2 9036 (An Ultraviolet Spectroscopic
Survey of Star-Forming Galaxies in the Local Universe)

The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD, MA1 and MA2) was
used to perform a comprehensive STIS ultraviolet spectroscopic survey of
star-forming galaxies in the local universe. The sample covers a broad
range of morphologies, chemical composition, and luminosity. The
observations will provide spectral coverage between 1200 and 3100 Angstrom,
at a resolution of 100 to 200 kms and S/N of about 30. The data set will
allow the proposers to document and quantify the effects of massive stars
on the interstellar medium and to infer implications for the evolution of
the host galaxies. The proposal completed with no anomalous activity.

1.4 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.

1.5 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.

1.6 Completed Two Sets of STIS/CCD 9285 (POMS Test Proposal: STIS
Non-scripted Parallel Proposal Continuation III)

The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to make low
galactic latitude, non-scripted parallel observations as part of a POMS
test proposal. The observations were completed as planned, and no
anomalies were reported.

1.7 Completed Two 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.

1.8 Completed WF/PC-2 9249 (POMS Test Proposal: WFII Backup Parallel
Archive Proposal II)

The WF/PC-2 was used to execute a POMS test proposal designed to
simulate scientific plans. The proposal completed with no reported problems.

1.9 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) 990123 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.

1.10 Completed Two 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

1.11 Completed STIS/CCD 9187 (A Lyman Limit Snapshot Survey: The Search
for Candidate D/H Absorbers)

The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to measure
D/H in gas clouds seen against background QSOs. This provides a unique and
fundamental cosmological probe of the baryonic density parameter. To date,
most of the QSO absorption line D/H constraints have been derived at high
redshift. In this proposal the proposers investigate a lower redshift
range, because there are two potentially crucial advantages to be gained by
carrying out D/H measurements at intermediate redshift. First, the
background of HI forest lines is lower and contamination of the DI feature
is significantly reduced. Second, a far larger sample of very bright QSOs
exists. There were no reported problems.

1.12 Completed 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.

1.13 Completed STIS/CCD 9070 (A Census of Nuclear Star Clusters in
Late-Type Spiral Galaxies: II. Spectroscopy and Stellar Populations)

The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to
investigate spiral galaxies that have a prominent star cluster in their
dynamical center. Statistics for cluster frequency, size, and luminosity
remain incomplete. The proposal completed as planned.

1.14 Completed WF/PC-2/STIS/CCD 9114 (SINS: The Supernova Intensive
Study– Cycle 10)

The WF/PC-2 and the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) were
used to perform closer observations of supernovae that will create the
chemical history of the Universe, energize the interstellar gas, stiffen
the spine of the extragalactic distance scale and provide the only evidence
for an accelerating universe. A violent encounter is underway between the
fast-moving debris and the stationary inner ring. Monitoring this
interaction will help solve the riddles of stellar evolution posed by the
enigmatic three-ring system of SN 1987A. Our UV observations of Ly- Alpha
emission reveal the present location and velocity of a remarkable reverse
shock that provides a unique laboratory for studying fast shocks and a
powerful tool for dissecting the structure of the vanished star. No
problems were encountered.

2.0 FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUMMARY:

2.1 Guide Star Acquisitions:

Scheduled Acquisitions: 9

Successful: 9

Scheduled Re-acquisitions: 8

Successful: 8

2.2 FHST Updates:

Scheduled: 21

Successful: 21

2.3 Operations Notes:

Using ROP SR-1A, the SSR EDAC error counter was cleared three times.

The 2.0C EEPROM flight software (FSW) installation was completed at
235/1402Z. Together with installations performed on the two previous days,
this FSW changes the post-SM3B Diode Bus Controller commanding and fixes
the Magnetic Torquer echo check timing.

3.0 SIGNIFICANT FORTHCOMING EVENTS:

Continuation of normal science observations and calibrations.