Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report #2948 – 31 Aug 2001

HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE

DAILY REPORT #2948

PERIOD COVERED: 0000Z (UTC) 08/30/01 – 0000Z (UTC) 08/31/01

Daily Status Report as of 243/0000Z

1.0 OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED AND ACCOMPLISHED:

1.1 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1/MA2 9113 (Solar UV Radiation and the Origin
of Life on Earth)

The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD, MA1 and MA2) was
used to observe chromospheric models that will enable the proposers to
predict the extreme-UV emission of the early Sun and its consequences for
the erosion of the early Earth’s atmosphere and the altered oxidation state
of the planet, and investigate the effect of metallicity on the UV emission
and its consequences for the photochemistry of Earth-like planets. There
was no anomalous activity.

1.2 Completed Eight 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 Six 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.

1.4 Completed Two Sets of STIS/CCD 9077 (Survey of the LMC Planetary
Nebulae)

The Space telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to perform
a snapshot survey of all known LMC planetary nebulae {PNe} in order to
study the co-evolution of the nebulae and their central stars, and to probe
the chemical enrichment history of the LMC. There were no reported problems.

1.5 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.

1.6 Completed STIS/CCD 8911 (Sparse-Field CTE External C10)

The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to
determine the derivation of accurate coefficients which can be used to
correct low count level data {both imaging and spectroscopy} for
nonlinearity/CTE effects. Dependencies on x-position, background sky
level, and time dependence will be quantified in addition to accurate
determination of intensity and y-position effects in a third epoch and to
higher accuracy than previously determined. The proposal completed with no
reported problems.

1.7 Completed Four Sets of 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.

1.8 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.

1.9 Completed Two Sets of 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.

1.10 Completed 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.

1.11 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.

1.12 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.

1.13 Completed 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.

1.14 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: 7

Successful: 7

2.2 FHST Updates:

Scheduled: 19

Successful: 19

2.3 Operations Notes:

The SSR EDAC error counter was cleared three times, using ROP SR-1A.

Battery #5 temperature flags have been reported to the EPS Systems
Engineer since 243/0017Z. They continue to flag intermittently. The
Battery #5 recharge ratio has been in and out of limits.

A TTR was written when a re-transmit was required at 243/083729Z
during a 486 uplink. ROP DF-18A was utilized at 243/0842Z to update the
limits for the 486 engineering status buffer.

3.0 SIGNIFICANT FORTHCOMING EVENTS:

Continuation of normal science observations and calibrations.