Status Report

Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report #2991- 5 Nov 2001

By SpaceRef Editor

November 5, 2001

Filed under Hubble Space Telescope, Space Telescope Science Institute, US

HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE

DAILY REPORT #2991

PERIOD COVERED: 0000Z (UTC) 11/02/01 – 0000Z (UTC) 11/05/01

Daily Status Report as of 309/0000Z

1.0 OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED AND ACCOMPLISHED:

1.1 Completed Six 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 STIS/CCD 9117 (Spatially Resolved Spectroscopy of Super
Star Clusters in the M82 Starbursts)

The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to obtain
spatially-resolved STIS spectroscopy of 20 clusters in M82’s active
starburst core and also in its “fossil” starburst region {of age >~ 200
Myr} as a means of tracing the history of star formation and its
propagation. With the spatially-resolved spectra, the proposers will be
able to study the internal structure of the clusters, evidence for internal
mass segregation, their interaction with their surroundings {including
M82’s superwind}, and the character of the bright, diffuse non-cluster
populations. No problems were reported.

1.3 Completed Four Sets of WF/PC-2 8932 (Decontaminations and
Associated Observations Pt. 1/3)

The WF/PC-2 was used for the monthly WFPC2 decons. Also included
are instrument monitors tied to decons: photometric stability check, focus
monitor, pre- and post-decon internals {bias, intflats, kspots, &and
darks}, UV throughput check, VISFLAT sweep, and internal UV flat check. No
problems were reported.

1.4 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.

1.5 Completed Five 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.

1.6 Completed Three Sets of 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 STIS/CCD 9262 (Side-2 Slit Locations)

The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to measure
the slit/aperture positions that are expected to be different when the STIS
is run through side 2 than when it is run from side 1. This proposal will
determine the location in pixel coordinates on the STIS CCD detector of the
positions of the set of STIS acquisition apertures and slits. This will be
accomplished by a set of internal exposures, using the tungsten lamp for
illumination. All images will be taken with the acquisition mirror. An
image will be taken at each nominal slit or aperture position {on the slit
wheel}. This activity will also be used to verify repeatability of the
slit wheel mechanism. In addition to taking images at the nominal slit
position, multiple images will be taken for a subset of the slits after
having moved the slit wheel. There were no reported problems.

1.8 Completed Two Sets of WF/PC-2 8932 (Decontaminations and Associated
Observations Pt. 1/3)

1.9 Completed Two 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.

1.10 Completed Two Sets of WF/PC-2 8699 (The Origin of Short-Period Comets)

The WF/PC-2 was used to detect and characterize cometary nuclei in
order to determine the basic physical properties of a large fraction of the
population of short-period comets. By acquiring statistically significant
data, we can study the origin of this family of comets and test the
hypothesis that they are collisional fragments from the Kuiper Belt
Objects. The observations completed with no reported problems.

1.11 Completed Twelve Sets of WF/PC-2 8940 (Cycle 10 Earth Flats)

The WF/PC-2 was used to monitor flatfield stability by obtaining
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 without incident.

1.12 Completed Eight 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.

1.13 Completed Two Sets of STIS/CCD/MA1/MA2 9114 (SINS: The Supernova
Intensive Study– Cycle 10)

The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD, MA1 and MA2) 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.

1.14 Completed Ten 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.

1.15 Completed Two Sets of STIS/MA2 8920 (Cycle 10 MAMA Dark Measurements)

The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (MA2) was used to perform
the routine monitoring of the MAMA detector dark noise, and is the primary
means of checking on health of the MAMA detectors systems through frequent
monitoring of the background count rate. The proposal completed with no
reported anomalous activity.

1.16 Completed Two Sets of 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.

1.17 Completed FGS/1 9240 (Astrometric Mass Determination of an
Extrasolar Planet Candidate)

Fine Guidance Sensor-1R was used to perform astrometric
observations that will allow a quick measure of the sky-plane motion of 55
Cancri, a G star with an Msin{i} = 0.9 MJ radial velocity companion with a
14 day period. By using 7 pairs of visits, where each visit within a pair
has the same parallax factor, we will be able to accurately determine the
stars’s proper motion. The reflex motion of the star, due to its orbit
about the star-companion barycenter, will manifest itself as a systematic
residual to the measured proper motion if the companion is sufficiently
massive. There were no reported problems.

1.18 Completed STIS/CCD 9110 (A Search for Kuiper Belt Object Satellites)

The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to
investigate whether the large number of collisions thought to have taken
place in the primordial Kuiper belt suggest that many Kuiper belt objects
{KBOs} could have suffered binary-forming collisions similar to that which
formed the Pluto — Charon binary. Detection of such KBO satellites would
allow measurement of KBO masses, would help to understand the past
collisional environment of the Kuiper belt, and would give a context to the
otherwise unique-seeming formation of the Pluto — Charon binary. The
proposal completed with no reported problems.

1.19 Completed WF/PC-2 8591 (The Smallest Nuclear Black Holes)

The WF/PC-2 was used to observe small nuclear black holes which are
the last major unexplored part of BH parameter space, searching for the
smallest BHs that HST can possibly find. The proposal completed with no
reported anomalies.

1.20 Completed Five Sets of 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.

1.21 Completed STIS/CCD 8908 (CCD Imaging Flats C10)

The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to
investigate flat-field stability over a monthly period. The proposal
completed with no reported problems.

1.22 Completed WF/PC-2/STIS/CCD 9267 (Supernova Search)

The WF/PC-2 and the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) were
used to search for high-redshift supernovae in GO-observed fields, taking
advantage of good first-epoch observations and of the scheduling
opportunities available because STIS is not currently observing. No
anomalous activity was reported.

1.23 Completed STIS/CCD 9047 (The Densely Spotted Photospheres of
Active Cool Stars)

The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to observe
rapidly rotating main-sequence stars that are so heavily mottled by star
spots that rotational modulation of their light may amount to 0.1 magnitude
or more. It is proposed to measure the packing fraction and size
distribution of small star spots on the inner face of the G2/3V primary of
the eclipsing binary SV Cam {= HD 44982}. There were no reported problems.

1.24 Completed STIS/CCD/MA2 9048 (Boron Constraints on Slow Mixing in
Low Mass Stars)

The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA2) was used to
observe the atomic and nuclear characteristics of the light elements Li, Be
and B, that make their photospheric abundances ideal tracers of internal
physical processes in stars. Both Li and Be have been heavily utilized to
this end since their diminished abundances are a direct result of the
extent of internal slow mixing between surface and interior layers, as has
been shown with ground-based data. Boron provides a fresh and special
probe because it survives to greater depths inside stars than does Li or
Be, and can thus uniquely reveal the depth of mixing. It is proposed to
observe B in stars with very large depletions of Li and Be, i.e. stars
which have been the most seriously affected by mixing. No problems occurred.

1.25 Completed WF/PC-2 9313 (Hubble Heritage Observations of NGC 6397)

The WF/PC-2 was used to make observations of the globular cluster
NGC 6397 to compliment archival data of this object. Previous WF/PC-2 data
only imaged one half of the cluster. No anomalous activity was reported.

1.26 Completed WF/PC-2 9145 (A Snapshot Survey of the Optically
Selected Type-2 Quasars)

The WF/PC-2 was used to observe an identified population of
emission-line objects in DPOSS, which can be plausibly interpreted as the
long-sought type-2 quasars. They have high-ionization Seyfert-2 like
spectra, but with narrow-line luminosities comparable to those of the
luminous type-1 quasars in the same redshift range. This population may be
a major contributor to the cosmic hard x-ray background. It is proposed to
obtain multi-color images of a representative sample of these objects, in
order to examine their morphology. We may be able to detect point-like
nuclei which are not detectable in ground-based images, the dust lanes
hiding them from our view, possible evidence for tidal interactions and the
overall morphology of their hosts, etc. The proposal completed with no
reported problems.

1.27 Completed STIS/CCD 9143 (Spectrophotometry of Nearby Seyfert 2
Nuclei: Can We Eliminate the Seyfert 2 Class?)

The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to
investigate Seyfert 2s that are distinguished by the absence of the broad
emission lines characteristic of Seyfert 1s and more luminous QSOs. Are
Seyfert 2s fundamentally different from Seyfert 1s and their brighter
cousins? Or is the broad emission line region in Seyfert 2s simply
suppressed by obscuring material as postulated by the unification
model? If the latter model is correct, the weak broad emission lines in
the Seyfert 2s may simply be overwhelmed by starlight from the
circumnuclear region, particularly in the case of recent star
formation. It is proposed to determine if all Seyfert 2s have {weak} broad
emission line regions by obtaining long-slit STIS spectroscopy for a
well-defined sample of 20 Seyfert 2s {3 archival, 17 new}. The
observations completed with no anomalous activity.

1.28 Completed STIS/CCD 9148 (Light Echos and the Nature of Type Ia
Supernovae)

The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to take
STIS snapshot images of a subset of 43 well observed Type Ia supernovae
{SNIa}, most of which have been discovered in late type galaxies over the
last 40 years to make a systematic search for light echos around SN
Ia. STIS will also observe a sample of 10 SN II and SN Ib/c, which are
believed to be the result of massive star core collapse and, therefore, to
be thin-disk population objects, in order to make an empirical calibration
of the accuracy of our method for determining scale heights. The SN Ia
sample will provide a direct as well as accurate estimate of the scale
height of SN Ia which is an important clue to the progenitors of these
events. The proposal completed nominally.

1.29 Completed WF/PC-2 9149 (The Nature Of The Most Luminous Star-
Forming Galaxies In The Redshift Range 0.4 To 1.5)

The WF/PC-2 was used to perform additional ISO deep surveys that have
previously uncovered a population of galaxies which are making stars at the
fantastic rate of > 100 M_odotyr^-1 in the redshift range from 0.4 to
1.5. However this population evolves rapidly and luminous star-forming
galaxies are 5 to 10 times more numerous at z=1 than today. Combination of
ISO data with radio {VLA}, sub-mm {SCUBA} and optical data shows that they
contribute a major fraction {30-50$ representing only a few percent of the
field galaxy population. HST imaging of a small subsample of these
galaxies indicates that most of them are disks showing disrupted
morphologies or possessing companions, emphasizing the role of merging in
their star formation history. The proposal completed without incident.

2.0 FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUMMARY:

2.1 Guide Star Acquisitions:

Scheduled Acquisitions: 29

Successful: 29

Scheduled Re-acquisitions: 20

Successful: 20

2.2 FHST Updates:

Scheduled: 64

Successful: 64

2.3 Operations Notes:

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

The SSR-3 pointer was set at 306/2130Z per ROP SR-3.