Status Report

Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report #3022 – 20 Dec 2001

By SpaceRef Editor

December 20, 2001

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

HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE

DAILY REPORT #3022

PERIOD COVERED: 0000Z (UTC) 12/19/01 – 0000Z (UTC) 12/20/01

Daily Status Report as of 354/0000Z

1.0 OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED AND ACCOMPLISHED:

1.1 Completed STIS/CCD 8930 (Investigating The Effect Of The Optical
Baffles On STIS CCD Imaging)

The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to
characterize the optical baffles around the edge of the STIS detector that
may affect some images. This proposal will investigate the effect of the
stars outside the STIS CCD detector on the STIS images. The idea would be
to image a bright star at various positions outside the field and check the
contamination effects on the detector. The proposal completed nominally.

1.2 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.

1.3 Completed Two Sets of WF/PC-2 9309 (Supernova Search)

The WF/PC-2 was used to search for high-redshift supernovae in
GO-observed fields, taking advantage of good first-epoch observations. All
observations completed nominally.

1.4 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.

1.5 Completed WF/PC-2 9134 (Giant H II Regions and the Connection with
Starbursts and Diffuse Ionized Gas)

The WF/PC-2 was used to study the connection between massive star
formation regions, ionized supershells, and the diffuse ionized gas that
pervades many star-forming galaxies. The proposal completed with no
reported problems.

1.6 Completed Three Sets of WF/PC-2 8941 (Cycle 10 UV Earthflats)

The WF/PC-2 was used to monitor flat field stability by obtaining
sequences of earth streak flats to improve the quality of pipeline flat
fields for the WFPC2 UV filter set. The proposal had no problems.

1.7 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1 8695 (The Nature and Distribution of O VI
Absorbers in the Vicinity of Galaxies)

The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA1) was used to
study PG1259+593 with the E140M echelle mode to substantially improve the
statistical base of observed O VI absorbers {including weak lines} for
comparison with the cosmological models and to constrain the physical
conditions and abundances in these systems and their relationships with
galaxies. With these observations we will {1} measure the number of O VI
absorbers per unit redshift {dN/dz} with a limiting equivalent width of
W_Lambda ~25 mAngstrom , {2} examine whether the O VI absorption arises in
photoionized, collisionally ionized, or multiphase gas, {3} estimate the
absorber metallicities, and {4} study the dependence of the absorber
properties on the proximity of luminous galaxies. The observations
completed nominally.

1.8 Completed 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.

1.9 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.

1.10 Completed WF/PC-2 9180 (Gamma-ray Burst Progenitors: Probing Their
Environment)

The WF/PC-2 was used to perform a target of opportunity observation
of gamma ray burster (GRB), GRB-011121. GRB astronomy is a field maturing
at a phenomenal rate. Three important new observational and theoretical
discoveries, formulated over the last twelve months, allow the proposer to
address new, and in many cases, more sophisticated questions than could
have been posed previously. These developments: the discovery of X-ray
lines in GRB 991216; the observation that N_H as deduced from X-ray
afterglow are one to two orders of magnitude larger than the dust
extinction inferred from optical afterglow; and the growing realization
that the afterglow emission may exhibit features of dust echoes, appear to
offer unexpected and new diagnostics that will directly inform us about the
progenitor, the circum-progenitor material and the immediate interstellar
environs. There were no reported problems.

1.11 Completed Two Sets of STIS/MA1 8920 (Cycle 10 MAMA Dark Measurements)

The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (MA1) 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.

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: 18

Successful: 18

2.3 Operations Notes:

Joint Integrated Simulation (JIS) #8 (EVA-5) was conducted
yesterday from 9:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.

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