Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report #2954 – 11 Sep 2001

HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE

DAILY REPORT #2954

PERIOD COVERED: 0000Z (UTC) 09/10/01 – 0000Z (UTC) 09/11/01

Daily Status Report as of 254/0000Z

1.0 OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED AND ACCOMPLISHED:

1.1 Completed Two Sets of STIS/CCD 8901 (Dark Monitor-Part 1)

The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to monitor
the darks. There was no anomalous activity.

1.2 Completed Three Sets of WF/PC-2 8936 (Cycle 10 Supplemental Darks
Pt1/3)

The WF/PC-2 was used to perform a dark calibration program that
obtains three dark frames every day to provide data for monitoring and
characterizing the evolution of hot pixels. The proposal completed with no
reported problems.

1.3 Completed WF/PC-2 9124 (Mid-UV SNAPSHOT Survey of Nearby
Irregulars: Galaxy Structure and Evolution Benchmark)

The WF/PC-2 was used to investigate the relation between star
formation and the global physical characteristics of galaxies to interpret
the morphologies of distant galaxies in terms of their evolutionary
status. Distant galaxies are primarily observed in their rest frame
mid-ultraviolet. They resemble nearby late-type galaxies, but are they
really physically similar classes of objects? It is proposed to address
this question through a SNAPSHOT survey in the 2 mid-UV filter F300W of 98
nearby late-type, irregular and peculiar galaxies. No problems were
reported.

1.4 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1/MA2 8919 (MAMA Sensitivity and Focus Monitor
C10)

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, and also to monitor the STIS
focus in a spectroscopic and an imaging mode. All observations were
successful.

1.5 Completed Six Sets of WF/PC-2 8935 (Cycle 10 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.

1.6 Completed STIS/CCD 8903 (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. There were no problems.

1.7 Completed WF/PC-2/STIS/CCD 9174 (Using Optically Faint Radio
Sources to Pinpoint Dusty Proto-Galaxies)

The WF/PC-2 and the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) were
used to observe a number of high redshift, dusty starburst galaxies that
remain invisible in ground based in the Hubble Deep Field. These galaxies
appear as faint radio sources with bright submillimeter counterparts,
demonstrating they are very dusty systems. The luminosities of these
galaxies suggest they are in the process of converting the bulk of their
gas mass into stars, and will likely evolve into present day massive
ellipticals. The observations completed normally, with no reported
problems.

1.8 Completed Four Sets of 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.

1.9 Completed WF/PC-2 8939 (Cycle 10 Internal Monitor)

The WF/PC-2 was used to calibrate the internal monitor, to be run
weekly to monitor the health of the cameras. No problems were encountered.

1.10 Completed STIS/CCD 8669 (Merger-Driven Evolution Of Galactic
Nuclei: Observations Of The Toomre Sequence)

The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to observe
galaxy mergers that are believed responsible for triggering starburst and
AGN activity in galaxies, and even perhaps transforming spiral galaxies
into ellipticals. The proposal completed nominally.

1.11 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.

1.12 Completed WF/PC-2 9259 (Astrometry and Photometry of the binary
TNO 1998 WW31)

The WF/PC-2 was used to confirm the discovery that the Trans
Neptunian Object {TNO} 1998 WW31 has a satellite. Observations of this
object would be of immense public interest. Combining images taken at
separate epochs would afford an opportunity to derive the orbit and
physical parameters of this system. The observations completed nominally.

1.13 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1 8622 (The Interstellar Isotopic Ratio of
Boron toward Omicron Persei and Nearby Sight Lines)

The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA1) was used to
determine the isotopic ratio 11B/10B for diffuse interstellar material
along lines of sight to o Persei, 40 Persei, Zeta Persei, and X Persei that
pass close to the star- forming region IC 348. The proposal completed
nominally.

1.14 Completed Two 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.

1.15 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.

1.16 Completed WF/PC-2 9155 (The Cepheid Distance to NGC 1637: A Direct
Comparison with the EPM Distance to SN 1999em)

The WF/PC-2 was used to directly compare distances estimated by two
primary extragalactic distance indicators. T he appearance of supernova
1999em, a bright, extremely well- observed type II plateau event in the
nearby SBc galaxy NGC 1637 offers the best chance to test the consistency
of the Expanding Photosphere Method {EPM} of supernova distance
determination with that derived from Cepheid variable stars. Although EPM
distances have been measured to 18 type II supernovae out to 180 Mpc and
used to determine Hubble’s constant independent of the Cepheid distance,
there have never been any measurements of Cepheids in a galaxy that has
hosted a normal type II-P supernova, the classic variety of core-collapse
event to which EPM-derived distances are most robust. The proposal
completed nominally.

1.17 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.

2.0 FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUMMARY:

2.1 Guide Star Acquisitions:

Scheduled Acquisitions: 9

Successful: 9

Scheduled Re-acquisitions: 6

Successful: 6

2.2 FHST Updates:

Scheduled: 22

Successful: 22

2.3 Operations Notes:

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

The engineering status buffer limits were adjusted twice per ROP
DF-18A.

TTRs were written when re-transmits were required at 253/1205Z and
at 253/1950Z during NSSC-1 uplinks. In each case ROP NS-5 was used to
reset SI C&DH errors.

The ephemeris table was loaded at 254/0049Z as directed by ROP
DF-07A.

3.0 SIGNIFICANT FORTHCOMING EVENTS:

Continuation of normal science observations and calibrations.