Status Report

Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report #3033 – 14 Jan 2002

By SpaceRef Editor

January 14, 2002

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

HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE

DAILY REPORT #3033

PERIOD COVERED: 0000Z (UTC) 01/11/02 – 0000Z (UTC) 01/14/02

Daily Status Report as of 014/0000Z

1.0 OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED AND ACCOMPLISHED:

1.1 Completed Two Sets of 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.

1.2 Completed Six 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 Twenty-one Sets of WF/PC-2 9318 (POMS Test Proposal: WFII
Parallel Archive Proposal Continuation)

The WF/PC-2 was used to perform the generic target version of the
WFPC2 Archival Pure Parallel program. The program was used to take
parallel images of random areas of the sky, following the recommendations
of the Parallels Working Group. There were no reported problems.

1.4 Completed Two Sets of 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.

1.5 Completed Two Sets of STIS/CCD/MA1/MA2 9282 (Multi-wavelength
Observations of the Black Hole XTE J1118+480 in Quiescence_

The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD, MA1 and MA2) was
used to observe the X-ray nova, XTE J1118+480, that has minimal
interstellar extinction and therefore represents an outstanding opportunity
for multi-wavelength studies. The
objectives are to 1} assemble the best possible optical to X-ray spectrum
of a quiescent black hole, 2} constrain the radius of the inner edge of the
accretion disk, 3} determine if the UV/optical emission is due to the
accretion disk or to an advection-dominated flow, 4} acquire key data on
the extreme faintness of black holes relative to neutron stars, and 5} test
models proposed to explain the faintness of quiescent black holes. There
were no reported problems.

1.6 Completed Twelve Sets of WF/PC-2 8942 (Cycle 10 Intflat Sweeps and
Linearity Test)

The WF/PC-2 was used to monitor the pixel-to-pixel flatfield
response and provide a linearity check. These intflat sequences are done
once during the year and the images will provide a backup database in the
event of complete failure of the visflat lamp as well as allow monitoring
of the gain ratios. There were no reported problems.

1.7 Completed Four 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.

1.8 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.

1.9 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.

1.10 Completed Two Sets of WF/PC-2 9138 (Host Galaxies of
Gravitationally Lensed Quasars)

The WF/PC-2 was used to perform imaging studies of quasar host
galaxies at high redshift that are biased toward detecting luminous
hosts. Gravitational lensing combined with optical and near-IR imaging
enhances their detectivity and has nearly doubled the number of known hosts
at z>1. Lens studies have successfully imaged hosts with lower
luminosities at farther distances beneath a larger fraction of quasars than
imaging of non- lensed quasars. We propose deep WFPC2 follow-up imaging of
five lensed systems in the F555W and F814W filters, which offer unique
opportunities for detailed studies of faint, high-redshift, quasar
hosts. The proposal completed as planned.

1.11 Completed Five 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.

1.12 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. As detailed in 2.1 and HSTAR 8470, the acquisition for the
third iteration of this proposal defaulted to fine lock backup on one FGS
only, possibly affecting the observations in this iteration. Otherwise,
the observations were completed as planned, and no further anomalies were
reported.

1.13 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. As
detailed in 2.1 and HSTAR 8470, the acquisition for the first iteration of
this proposal defaulted to fine lock backup on one FGS only, possibly
affecting the observations in this iteration. Otherwise, the observations
completed nominally.

1.14 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.

1.15 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.

1.16 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1/MA2 9081 (Accretion in the Planet-Forming
Disks of the TW Hya Association)

The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD, MA1 and MA2) was
used to obtain high signal-to-noise, low resolution ultraviolet spectra of
the only two stars in the ~ 10 Myr old TW Hya association that are still
accreting to measure the mass accretion rate through their disks. With
these measurements proposers will be able to assess the gas content in
these disks which show clear signs that dust is rapidly evolving towards
planetesimals and planets, and obtain crucial parameters to address the
problems of planet migration and survival at 10 Myr, the time-scale for
planet formation according to meteoritic and preliminary astronomical
evidence. All observation completed nominally.

1.17 Completed STIS/CCD 8867 (Gamma-Ray Bursts: Discovering The
Progenitors And Understanding The Explosion – Visits A0-R0)

The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to observe
a gamma-ray burster, GRB011211. Gamma-ray burst astronomy, one of the most
active and exciting frontiers in astrophysics, is now entering a critical
stage — with dramatic leaps in understanding of these events, as well as
new discoveries. Improvements in triggering and positioning accuracy
provided by the SAX and HETE-2 gamma-ray satellites will allow entirely new
classes of events to be studied. Given the recent progress in this field,
the proposers are now in a position to design precision, broadband
measurements that can provide quantitative information on the as-yet
unknown energy sources, the explosion geometry, and the surrounding
medium. In particular, the growing evidence of an intimate connection
between SNe and GRBs can be definitively tested. The proposal completed
with no reported problems.

1.18 Completed WF/PC-2 9319 (POMS Test Proposal: WFII Backup Parallel
Archive Proposal II)

The WF/PC-2 was used to execute a POMS test proposal, designed to
simulate future scientific plans. The proposal completed without incident.

1.19 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.

1.20 Completed WF/PC-2 9118 (Tracing the Cosmic Expansion to z>1 with
Type Ia Supernovae)

The WF/PC-2 was used to observe type Ia supernovae in order to
provide evidence for an accelerating universe. The case for cosmic
acceleration rests almost entirely on the observation that the observed SN
Ia at z~0.5 are 0.25 magnitudes fainter than expected for a
non-accelerating Universe. It is proposed to follow five SN Ia in the
range 0.95 0 cosmology, this experiment is a powerful and
straightforward way to assess the reliability of the SN Ia
measurements. In addition, if SN Ia are reliable standard candles, the
proposed observations will significantly increase the precision with which
Omega_Lambda and Omega_M are measured. There was no reported anomalous
activity.

1.21 Completed WF/PC-2/STIS/CCD/MA2 9127 (The UV interstellar
Extinction in Nearby Galaxies: M33)

The WF/PC-2 and the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and
MA2) were used to investigate further the dust properties that vary in
different environments and from galaxy to galaxy. The proposers had
previously used HST to determine the UV extinction curve in M31. That
result, together with other studies of the Magellanic Clouds and Milky Way,
suggested that the dust particles vary and the proposers plan to enlarge
the sample by studying the UV extinction properties of dust in M33,
sampling different galactocentric distances and levels of star formation
activity. There were no reported problems.

1.22 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1/MA2 8635 (A Test Of Pulsation And Diffusion
Theory For Subluminous B Stars)

The Space telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD, MA1 and MA2) was
used to confirm the recent discovery of radial and nonradial mode
pulsations in nearly 20 sdB stars that makes it possible to use
asteroseismology to probe the internal structure of these stars and discern
their evolutionary status. This is needed for reasons as diverse as
understanding the late stages of stellar evolution and the calibration of
the observed ultraviolet upturn in giant elliptical galaxies as an age
indicator. The observations completed with no anomalous activity.

1.23 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.

1.24 Completed STIS/CCD 8591 (The Smallest Nuclear Black Holes)

The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) 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.

2.0 FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUMMARY:

2.1 Guide Star Acquisitions:

Scheduled Acquisitions: 24

Successful: 24

Per HSTAR 8470, the acquisition at 011/233552Z defaulted to fine
lock backup on FGS-2 only when the scan step limit was exceeded on
FGS-3. The proposals described in 1.12 and 1.13 may have been affected.

Scheduled Re-acquisitions: 21

Successful: 21

2.2 FHST Updates:

Scheduled: 52

Successful: 52

2.3 Operations Notes:

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

The NSSC-1 status buffer was dumped and reset at 011/1042Z per ROP
NS-3.

The correctable EDAC errors were cleared at 012/1033Z as directed
by ROP SR-4A.

The SSR was commanded to record at 012/1040Z, at 012/1216Z and t
012/1733Z, using ROP SR-4A.

Per ROP NS-2, a NSSC-1 memory dumped was commanded at 012/1306Z.

Per an operations note, at 013/0034Z, the recharge ratio limits
were restored to normal limits after the high Sun-time interval.