Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report #3095 – 16 Apr 2002

HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE

DAILY REPORT #3095

PERIOD COVERED: 0000Z (UTC) 04/15/02 – 0000Z (UTC) 04/16/02

Daily Status Report as of 106/0000Z

1.0 OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED AND ACCOMPLISHED:

1.1 Completed Two Sets of STIS/CCD 8902 (Dark Monitor-Part 2)

The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to monitor
the darks. No problems were reported.

1.2 Completed Five Sets of ACS/WFC/HRC 8947 (Weekly Test)

The Advanced Camera for Surveys (WFC and HRC) was used to perform
basic tests to monitor, the read noise, the development of hot pixels and
test for any source of noise in ACS CCD detectors. As described in
yesterday’s report and HSTAR 8607, the acquisition for the third iteration
of this proposal defaulted to fine lock back-up on one FGS only, possibly
affecting three observations. There were no other problems reported.

1.3 Completed Three 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.

1.4 Completed Two Sets ofACS/WFC 9020 (Preliminary ACS Sensitivity)

The Advanced Camera for Surveys (WFC) was used to observe a
spectrophotometric standard star through each filter of each camera to
assess the sensitivity of the instrument. The star is placed at the center
of the aperture, and two images are taken through each filter. There were
no reported problems.

1.5 Completed STIS/CCD 8904 (Bias Monitor-Part 2)

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 in order to build up high-S/N superbiases and track the evolution
of hot columns. The proposal completed with no anomalous activity.

1.6 Completed Two Sets of STIS/CCD 8905 (Read Noise Monitor)

The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to measure
the read noise of all the amplifiers {A, B, C, D} on the STIS CCD using
pairs of bias frames. Full frame and binned observations are made in both
Gain 1 and Gain 4, with binning factors of 1×1, 1×2, 2×1 and 2×2. All
exposures are internals. The proposal completed with no reported anomalies.

1.7 Completed STIS/CCD 8907 (Spectroscopic Flats C10)

The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to obtain
CCD flats in the spectrographic mode. There were no reported problems.

1.8 Completed Two Sets of 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.

1.9 Completed ACS/SBC 9008 (MAMA Initial Turn-on and Anomalous Recovery
Procedure)

The Advance Camera for Surveys (SBC) was used for the initial
turn-on of the ACS MAMA detector and to permit recovery after an anomalous
shutdown. Anomalous shutdowns can occur as a result of bright object
violations which trigger the Bright Scene Detection or Software Global
Monitors. Anomalous shutdowns can also occur as a result of MAMA hardware
problems. The Initial MAMA turn-on/recovery from anomalous shutdown
consists of three tests: a signal processing electronics check, high
voltage ramp-up to an intermediate voltage, and high voltage ramp-up to the
full operating voltage. During each of the two high voltage ramp-ups,
diagnostics are performed during a dark ACCUM. No problems were recorded.

1.10 Completed STIS/CCD 9131 (Imaging the Host Galaxies of High
Redshift Type Ia Supernovae)

The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to complete
the snapshot survey of distant galaxies of known redshift which hosted
supernovae {SNe} of Type Ia found via the Supernova Cosmology Project
{SCP}. No problems were seen.

1.11 Completed Two Sets of 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.

1.12 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1 9486 (What Excites LINERs: The Brilliant
Case of NGC 3998)

The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA1) was used to
observe LINER emission that is now known to occur in many galaxies at a
variety of levels, with causes as diverse as old nuclear starbursts,
cooling flows, accretion disks, and jets. The early prototypes, including
NGC 3998, belong to a distinct class of AGN-like LINERs with the most
luminous line emission and powerful nuclear radio emission. These LINERs
have ionized gaseous disks on the scale of tens of parsecs, which have now
been found to be in rotation about supermassive black holes. The disks are
apparently the outer parts of energy- releasing accretion disks. Powerful
new UV+optical emission line diagnostics have been developed to settle the
long- standing debate over whether the gas is being photoionized or shock
excited. As described in yesterday’s report and HSTAR 8607, the
acquisition for the third iteration of this proposal defaulted to fine lock
back-up on one FGS only, possibly affecting six observations. There was no
other reported anomalous activity.

1.13 Completed STIS/MA2 9573 (NUV-MAMA Daily Dark Monitor)

The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (MA2) was used to perform
daily monitoring of the NUV MAMA detector dark noise in order to monitor
the effects of thermal changes on the NUV dark rate. No problems occurred.

1.14 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1 9067 (UV Detectability of Bright Quasars in
the Sloan Fields)

The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA1) was used to
take MAMA spectra of approximately 30 new, bright, high-redshift quasars in
each of the next three cycles. The observations completed with no reported
problems.

1.15 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1 9459 (The Response of the White Dwarf in WZ
Sge to the Unexpected July 2001 Superoutburst)

The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA1) was used to
observe WZ Sge, the most extreme dwarf nova and one of the closest known
cataclysmic variables, that has undergone a superoutburst in July 2001
after 22 years in quiescence. Because of the uniqueness of this event, two
DD proposals were approved, one to observe the outburst itself, and another
for us to observe the early decline phase. Here it is proposed to complete
our fundamental study of the response of a dwarf nova system to an outburst
by continuing our UV coverage of this most extreme outbursting system
during its decline to quiescence. This decline is expected to take more
than 3 yrs, with the most dramatic changes occurring in the first 2
years. This once-in-a-lifetime chance to obtain high quality, high time
{and spectral} resolution FUV data as the decline progresses into the
critical transition from the disk- dominated phase to the bare white dwarf,
provides an unique opportunity to study the response of the emerging white
dwarf, whose chemical abundances, rotation and temperature variation with
time bear the imprint of this extraordinary gigantic accretion event. The
proposal completed with no reported problems.

1.16 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.

1.17 Completed 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.

1.18 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.

1.19 Completed FGS/1 9034 (The Masses and Luminosities of Population II
Stars)

Fine Guidance Sensor #1R was used to observe the mass-luminosity
relation {MLR} of Population II stars of which very little is currently
known. With the advent of the Hipparcos Catalogue, improved distances to
many spectroscopic binaries known to be Pop II systems are now
available. After surveying the literature and making reasonable estimates
of the secondary masses, we find 13 systems whose minimum separation should
be larger than the resolution limit of FGS #1R. The observations completed
nominally.

1.20 Completed WF/PC-2/STIS/CCD 9174 (Using Optically Faint Radio
Sources to Pinpoint Dusty Proto-Galaxies)

The WF/PC-2 and the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) were
used to observe a number of high redshift, dusty starburst galaxies that
remain invisible in ground based observations in the Hubble Deep
Field. These galaxies appear as faint radio sources with bright
submillimeter counterparts, demonstrating they are very dusty systems. The
luminosities of these galaxies suggest they are in the process of
converting the bulk of their gas mass into stars, and will likely evolve
into present day massive ellipticals. The observations completed normally,
with no reported problems.

1.21 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.

2.0 FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUMMARY:

2.1 Guide Star Acquisitions:

Scheduled Acquisitions: 12

Successful: 12

Scheduled Re-acquisitions: 5

Successful: 5

2.2 FHST Updates:

Scheduled: 24

Successful: 22

Per HSTAR 8608, the full maneuver updates scheduled for 106/084931Z
and 106/085216Z failed with error results indicating tracker #1
failed. The subsequent acquisition was successful.

2.3 Operations Notes:

Operations notes were utilized to:

• Restore ACS flight software error limits.
  
• Perform HSTAR documentation for FHST map/update failures.
  

Using operations requests, the following actions were executed:

• Clear ACS flight software error counter at 105/1343Z.
  
• Genslew for proposal 9110 – slot 1 at 105/1428Z.
  
• Clear ACS SBC event flag at 105/1543Z.
  
• Set ACS SBC event flag to prevent high voltage turn-on at
  
• 105/2013Z

  
  

(BALL expressed concerns that the SBC low voltage supply had not
been enabled long enough (>18 hours) to allow sufficient out-gassing
prior to high voltage operations).

Per ROP RD-7A, ESTR re-conditioning was performed at 105/2039Z.

The ephemeris table was uplinked at 106/0127Z, using ROP DF-07A.

The engineering status buffer limit for SESBSLD was updated at
106/0856Z as directed by ROP DF-18A.

3.0 SIGNIFICANT FORTHCOMING EVENTS:

Battery #3 Capacity Test is scheduled to occur at approximately
107/1130Z.

An intercept SMS, the intercept point being approximately
109/0354Z, is being prepared. This SMS will recover NICMOS and then begin
NICMOS Servicing Mission Orbital Verification (SMOV) activities.

Continuation of SMOV and the gradual resumption of normal science
observations and calibrations.