Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report #2964 – 26 Sep 2001

HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE

DAILY REPORT #2964

PERIOD COVERED: 0000Z (UTC) 09/25/01 – 0000Z (UTC) 09/26/01

Daily Status Report as of 269/0000Z

1.0 OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED AND ACCOMPLISHED:

1.1 Completed WF/PC-2 9102 (A YSO-Like Pulsed Astrophysical Jet And
Bipolar Nebula In A Dying Star: WFPC2/STIS Study Of He2-90)

The WF/PC-2 was used to observe an extended, highly-collimated,
bipolar jet in He2-90, an object long classified as a planetary nebula
{PN}. Recently-discoved images show that the morphology of He2-90 does not
look like that of any known PN, but resembles that of a classical young
stellar object {YSO}. Observations will determine the speed of the jet
{only slightly inclined to the sky plane} through proper motion
observations of the knots in the jet: An H-alpha image will be obtained
for comparison with the Sep99 discovery image. It is crucial to observe
the velocity field of the flow at the highest spatial- resolution, as close
as possible to the origin of the jet in order to constrain theories for how
the jet is driven, and the nature of the central object. The proposal
completed nominally.

1.2 Completed Six 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.

1.3 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.

1.4 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1 8889 (Tortured Coronae in the Rapid Breaking
Zone)

The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA1) was used to
perform observations in conjunction with deep Chandra X-ray Observatory
high energy transmission grating {HETGS} exposures of three key G0-G5
giants that will address fundamental questions concerning their hot
magnetized coronae by determining temperatures and densities, probing
chemical fractionation processes, and exploring plasma dynamics. The
observations completed nominally.

1.5 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.

1.6 Completed STIS/CCD 9114 (SINS: The Supernova Intensive Study–
Cycle 10)

The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was 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.

1.7 Completed STIS/CCD 9088 (Next Generation Spectral Library of Stars)

The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to produce
a “Next Generation” Spectral Library of 600 stars for use in modeling the
integrated light of galaxies and clusters by using the low dispersion UV
and optical gratings of STIS. The library will be roughly equally divided
among four metallicities, very low {Fe/H < -1.5}, low {-1.5 < Fe/H < -0.5}, near-solar {-0.5 < Fe/H < 0.1}, and super-solar {Fe/H > 0.1}, well-sampling
the entire HR-diagram in each bin. Such a library will surpass all extant
compilations and have lasting archival value, well into the Next Generation
Space Telescope era. No problems occurred.

1.8 Completed STIS/CCD 8901 (Dark Monitor-Part 1)

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

1.9 Completed WF/PC-2 9042 (An Archive To Detect The Progenitors Of
Massive, Core-Collapse Supernovae)

The WF/PC-2 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.

1.10 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.

1.11 Completed WF/PC-2/STIS/CCD 8191 (The Faintest Radio Galaxies:
Interacting Starbursts at z less than 1)

Deep WF/PC-2 imaging and Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD)
slitless spectroscopy of two of our ultra-deep VLA fields were
performed. There were no reported problems.

2.0 FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUMMARY:

2.1 Guide Star Acquisitions:

Scheduled Acquisitions: 11

Successful: 11

Scheduled Re-acquisitions: 6

Successful: 6

2.2 FHST Updates:

Scheduled: 24

Successful: 24

2.3 Operations Notes:

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

3.0 SIGNIFICANT FORTHCOMING EVENTS:

Continuation of normal science observations and calibrations.