Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report #3016 – 12 Dec 2001
HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE
DAILY REPORT #3016
PERIOD COVERED: 0000Z (UTC) 12/11/01 – 0000Z (UTC) 12/12/01
Daily Status Report as of 346/0000Z
1.0 OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED AND ACCOMPLISHED:
1.1 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1 9304 (Ultraviolet Spectroscopy of the
Unexpected Outburst of WZ Sagittae)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA1) was used to
observe the extreme dwarf nova WZ Sge that unexpectedly went into outburst
on July 23, 2001, ten years earlier than anticipated. This event offers
the chance to obtain high-quality, time-resolved far-UV spectra, as the
outburst continues through its peak into decline. The observations
completed with no reported problems.
1.2 Completed Two Sets of WF/PC-2 8937 (Cycle 9 Supplemental Darks pt2/3)
The WF/PC-2 was used obtain three dark frames every day to provide
data for monitoring and characterizing the evolution of hot pixels. No
problems were encountered.
1.3 Completed Four Sets of STIS/CCD 8900 (Performance Monitor)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to measure
the baseline performance and commandability of the CCD subsystem. All
exposures are internals. The observations completed normally.
1.4 Completed Two Sets of STIS/CCD/MA2 9185 (UV Spectroscopic
Investigation of any Bright, Newly Discovered Comet)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA2) was used to
execute a target-of-opportunity program to investigate any bright comet
that is newly discovered during Cycle 10, including comets of any dynamical
class. The main scientific objective is to obtain accurate abundance
measurements for several key cometary species: CO from the CO 4PG bands,
cotwo from the CO Cameron bands, stwo from the stwo B-X bands, cstwo from
CS emissions, and water from OH emissions. The UV Cameron band emission is
currently the only way to probe cotwo in comets. The high sensitivity and
long-slit capability of STIS will allow characterization of the spatial
distribution of the coma species, so that we can identify those derived
from an extended source {e.g. CO}, study the decay of short-lived molecules
{e.g. stwo and cstwo}, compare the dust and gas spatial distributions, and
investigate the importance of e-impact on CO for the excitation of the
Cameron bands {the latter for any comet having mboxV<=sssim5. There were
no reported anomalies.
1.5 Completed 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 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.
1.7 Completed Five 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.
1.8 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1 9137 (Quasar Absorbers and Large Scale
Structure)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA1) was used to
perform spectroscopy of 15 bright quasars in a 22 square degree region that
has well-sampled galaxy redshifts. No problems were encountered.
1.9 Completed STIS/CCD 8678 (Galaxy Mass and the Fate of the ISM in
Candidate Proto-Spheroidals at z~0.2-0.4)
The Space telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to obtain
long-slit spectra for a sample of 5 faint blue compact galaxies {BCGs} at z
~ 0.2 to 0.4. The observations completed nominally.
1.10 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.
1.11 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.
1.12 Completed WF/PC-2 9046 (Black Holes and Bars: A Recipe for Making
Bulges?)
The WF/PC-2 was used to obtain multi-color images and (eventually)
STIS emission line spectroscopy of the nuclear regions of 6 edge-on barred
spiral galaxies spanning a range of bulge morphologies and bar
strengths. The goal is to quantify the amount of vertical heating in the
nuclei, and to test whether or not bars are indeed destroyed and create a
bulge if enough mass is accumulated in their centers. There were no
reported problems.
1.13 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.
1.14 Completed STIS/CCD 9312 (POMS Test Proposal: STIS Non-scripted
Parallel Proposal Continuation IV)
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.
1.15 Completed Two Sets of 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.
1.16 Completed 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.
1.17 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.
1.18 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.
1.19 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1/MA2 8916 (Spectroscopic Sensitivity
Workout: First-order Modes)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD, MA1 and MA2) was
used to measure the basic sensitivity for all supported MAMA and CCD
first-order spectroscopic modes. Sensitivity measurements are done for all
supported tilts of the gratings, at a S/N suitable to any particular
setting, in order to get all measurements done in a reasonable number of
orbits but still get a very accurate sensitivity measurement. There were
no reported problems.
1.20 Completed STIS/MA1/MA2 9120 (Planetary Nebulae In The LMC: A Study
On Stellar Evolution And Populations)
The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (MA1 and MA2) was used to
investigate the final phase of the evolution of low- and intermediate-mass
stars, the Planetary Nebula {PN} ejection that is thought to provide the
main source of carbon and nitrogen enrichment in galaxies. The
observations completed nominally with no reported problems.
2.0 FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUMMARY:
2.1 Guide Star Acquisitions:
Scheduled Acquisitions: 7
Successful: 7
Scheduled Re-acquisitions: 8
Successful: 8
2.2 FHST Updates:
Scheduled: 16
Successful: 16
2.3 Operations Notes:
Using ROP SR-1A, the SSR-1 EDAC errors were cleared twice.
The STIS MCE-2 reset at 345/101230Z while the low voltage was on
and while inside an SAA interval. The STIS flight software error counter
was reset at 345/2050Z per ROP NS-12. MAMA-2 was recovered at 345/2155Z
via normal SMS commanding.
Personnel at the STScI are preparing a target-of-opportunity (TOO)
SMS for proposal 9114 (Supernova Intensive Study). The SMS is expected to
arrive sometime today. The TOO proposal is expected to begin execution at
approximately 347/2300Z.
3.0 SIGNIFICANT FORTHCOMING EVENTS:
Continuation of normal science observations and calibrations.
