HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE DAILY REPORT #3025 PERIOD COVERED: 0000Z (UTC) 12/27/01 - 0000Z (UTC) 01/02/02 Daily Status Report as of 002/0000Z 1.0 OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED AND ACCOMPLISHED: 1.1 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. As documented in HSTAR 8448 and 2.1, the acquisition for the fourth iteration of this proposal defaulted to fine lock back-up on one FGS only, possibly affecting the observations in that iteration. Otherwise, no further problems occurred. 1.2 Completed Twelve 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. 1.3 Completed Seven Sets of STIS/CCD 8903 (Bias Monitor - Part 1) The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to monitor the bias in the 1x1, 1x2, 2x1, and 2x2 bin settings at gain=1, and 1x1 at gain = 4 to build up high-S/N superbiases and track the evolution of hot columns. There were no problems. 1.4 Completed Five 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. 1.5 Completed STIS/CCD 9106 (The Biggest Black Holes) The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to perform searches for supermassive black holes in galaxy centers that have led to the discoveries that {1} most or all hot galaxies contain massive dark objects at their centers, presumably black holes; and {2} there is a tight correlation between the black-hole mass and the luminosity-weighted velocity dispersion of the hot component of the galaxy. This remarkable relationship suggests a strong link between black-hole formation, AGN activity, and galaxy formation, and once it is understood this link should advance our understanding of all three processes. There were no reported problems. 1.6 Completed Eighteen 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. As documented in HSTAR 8448 and 2.1, the acquisition for the thirteenth iteration of this proposal defaulted to fine lock back-up on one FGS only, possibly affecting the observations in that iteration. Otherwise, there were no further reported problems. 1.7 Completed Ten 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. 1.8 Completed STIS/CCD 8626 (Spatially Resolved Spectroscopy of APM08279+5255) The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to obtain spatially resolved, high resolution spectra of the z=3.911 BAL quasar, APM 08279+5255. All observations completed nominally. 1.9 Completed Eleven 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. 1.10 Completed 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. 1.11 Completed STIS/CCD 9126 (Galaxy Mass and the Fate of Luminous, Blue Compact Galaxies at z~0.6) The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to obtain long-slit spectra for a sample of 6 luminous, blue, compact galaxies {LBCGs} at z ~ 0.6. Despite being very luminous, LBCGs have velocity widths Sigma ~ 60 kms and half-light radii r_e ~ 0.5'' {or R_e ~ 3Kpc}. Small sizes and velocity widths suggest LBCGs are low- mass stellar systems , while their blue colors, strong emission lines and low M/L-ratios indicate they are undergoing a major starburst. I f the star-forming process halts after the current burst, models predict that LBCGs will fade by ~2-4 magnitudes after a few Gyrs to reach the low luminosities and surface brightnesses characteristic of spheroidal galaxies. The proposal completed with no reported problems. 1.12 Completed Six 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. 1.13 Completed Two Sets of FGS/1 9168 (The Distances to AM CVn Stars) Fine Guidance Sensor (FGS) #1 was used to determine the parallaxes and proper motions of the five brightest of the seven known AM CVn systems. AM CVn systems are binaries where mass is transferred from a completely hydrogen-deficient, degenerate mass donor to a white dwarf primary through a helium accretion disk. A better understanding of these systems is crucial for a number of reasons: (1) to study the late stages of binary evolution, (2) to study the effect of chemical composition on the physics of accretion discs, (3) to estimate their contribution to the Supernovae Ia rate, and (4) to estimate their contribution to the gravitational radiation background. All observations completed with no reported problems. 1.14 Completed Six Sets of 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. 1.15 Completed Four 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. 1.16 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. 1.17 Completed Two Sets of STIS/MA1 8590 (UV Imaging and Spectroscopy of Luminous Blue Compact Galaxies from z=0 to z=1) The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (MA1) was used to observe two well-defined samples of low-mass starburst galaxies, one in the local universe {z<0.1} and another at intermediate redshifts {0.2 < z < 0.7}. Both samples show optical sizes, morphologies, emission line widths, and luminosities comparable to those of LBGs at z=3, and are therefore probably the best local analogs and testbeds for further study of LBGs. Our main goals are to: {1} explore the morphologies, surface brightness distributions, and half-light radii of nearby starforming galaxies in the FUV, near Ly-alpha; {2} search for systematic differences among UV, optical, and near-IR morphologies and structural parameters; {3} investigate the intrinsic emission and absorption spectra near Ly-alpha of starbursting dwarf galaxies, with special attention to Ly- alpha profiles and interstellar and stellar photospheric absorption from Si II, O I, C II, Si IV, and C IV; {4} measure their FUV-optical colors and dust extinction properties; and {5} test the hypothesis that low-mass starbursts are the local counterparts of LBGs. The observation completed normally. 1.18 Completed Three Sets of WF/PC-2 8589 (Orbital Structure and Black Hole in NGC 3379) The WF/PC-2 was used to observe the stellar orbital structure and the mass of the central black hole in NGC 3379. The proposal completed with no reported anomalies. 1.19 Completed Three 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. 1.20 Completed STIS/CCD 9084 (Physical Parameters of the Erupting Luminous Blue Variable NGC 2363-V1) The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to observe a bright variable star in the giant extragalactic H , ii region NGC 2363 discovered in 1992. Subsequent photometry and high quality spectroscopy of this star revealed that observers are witnessing a significant event in the evolution of a massive star, namely a major eruption of a Luminous Blue Variable {LBV}. It is proposed to obtain high quality STIS spectra of this star once a year for the next three observing Cycles. The proposal completed nominally. 1.21 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. 1.22 Completed STIS/CCD/MA2 9051 (Identifying Damped Lyman-alpha Galaxies at z~1) The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA2) was used to look for damped Lyman-alpha absorption systems that contain the bulk of the neutral gas in the Universe in the redshift range z = 0.5 - 5, yet the nature of the galaxies responsible for the absorption is not well understood. Only recently have observers found more than a handful of damped absorbers at redshifts z < 1.5. Using the FIRST Bright Quasar Survey {FBQS}, with over a 1000 quasars, the proposers have undertaken a survey to build a complete picture of he nature of the galaxies responsible for damped Lyman-alpha absorption systems at z~1 and to double the sample size at this redshift. No problems were encountered. 1.23 Completed STIS/CCD/MA2 9119 (Io's Prometheus Plume, and the Composition and Spatial Distribution of Io's Atmosphere) The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA2) was used to obtain the most detailed view yet of Io's dynamic SO_2 / S_2 atmosphere, and the first spectroscopic observations of a Prometheus-type plume, to test models of plume and atmospheric chemistry and dynamics. The proposal completed as planned. 1.24 Completed STIS/MA2 8048 (Secular Changes in the Jet of M87) The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (MA2) was to be used to continue the investigation of the M87 jet by studying proper motions and structural changes of the jet. The proposal will track secular changes and motions in the jet and nucleus. As detailed in HSTAR 8445 and 2.1, the acquisition and re-acquisition for this proposal failed and all four observations were lost. 1.25 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. 1.26 Completed Nine 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. 1.27 Completed WF/PC-2 9320 (Constraining the Highly Eccentric Orbit of the Companion of the Binary TNO 1998 WW31 by Observations at its Pericenter) The WF/PC-2 was used to observe the Trans Neptunian Object {TNO} 1998 WW31 that has a satellite. These observations will assess the ellipticity of the orbit in a definite way, providing an important constraint to the models proposed for the creation of such a binary system. No problems were reported. 1.28 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1/MA2 9153 (The Black Hole {?} in BG Gem) The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD, MA1 and MA2) was used to acquire low resolution ultraviolet spectra of the long period black hole binary candidate BG Geminorum. These spectra allow an unambiguous test of the nature of the 4.5 M{sun} primary star, which makes no measurable contribution to the optical spectrum. Detection of a strong ultraviolet continuum or ultraviolet absorption lines from Si II and Si III {among others} would indicate a B-type primary; failure to detect these features or detection of high ionization emission lines would favor a black hole primary. If it contains a black hole, BG Gem would be the longest period black hole binary known {by a factor of ten}, challenging current theories of black hole formation. It would also be the only eclipsing binary known to contain a black hole, which would provide a unique laboratory for testing accretion disk models for black hole binary systems. The proposal completed as planned. 1.29 Completed Two Sets of FGS/1 8946 (Pre-SM3B Observations for Verification of Operational FGS Calibrations) Fine Guidance Sensor #1 was used to monitor the characteristics of the three Fine Guidance Sensors across the boundary of the servicing mission SM3B. This proposal establishes the pre-SM3B baseline measurements. No problems were encountered. 1.30 Completed STIS/CCD 9139 (Variability in the UV Spectrum of 3C 279: Testing Models for the Gamma-Ray Emission in Blazars) The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to determine whether gamma- rays are produced on the scale of the broad line region, using multi-epoch UV snapshots of 3C 279 to find and characterize its LyAlpha variability. This will validate the mirror model for generating the intense gamma-ray emission from blazars. 3C 279 is the best-studied blazar from radio to gamma-ray wavelengths, showing frequent large flares over days to months. Variability in the UV continuum and LyAlpha will directly reveal any coupling between the jet ionizing flux and the broad-line region emission, providing clues to the physics and energetics of all radio-loud AGN. All observations completed without reported incident. 1.31 Completed Three Sets of WF/PC-2 9257 (Cycle 10 Super-PSF) The WF/PC-2 was used to obtain deep images of the WFPC2 Point Spread Function (PSF) in several broadband filters in order to investigate the 2-dimensional structure in the PSF wings and characterize the change in structure with varying focus and target color. There were no reported problems. 1.32 Completed FGS/1 9407 (Astrometry of a Star Hosting an Extrasolar Planet: The Mass of Upsilon Andromedae) Fine Guidance Sensor #1 was used to determine the astrometric elements {perturbation orbit semimajor axis and inclination} produced by the outermost extra-solar planet orbiting the F8V star Upsilon Andromedae. These observations will permit us to determine the actual mass of the planet by providing the presently unknown sin i factor intrinsic to the radial velocity method which discovered this object. An inclination, i = 30degrees, within the range of one very low precision determination using reanalyzed HIPPARCOS intermediate data products, would produce the observed radial velocity amplitude, K = 66 ms with a companion mass of ~8 M_Jupiter. Such a mass would induce in Upsilon Andromedae a perturbation semi-major axis, Alpha = 0arcs0012. The proposed observations will yield a planetary mass, rather than, as previous investigations have done, only suggest a planetary mass companion. The proposal completed nominally. 1.33 Completed 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. 1.34 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 1.35 Completed Two 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. 1.36 Completed STIS/CCD 8914 (Sensitivity Monitor C10) The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to monitor the sensitivity of each CCD grating mode to detect any change due to contamination or other causes. The STIS focus is also monitored in an imaging mode. There was no anomalous activity. 1.37 Completed STIS/CCD 9280 (X-Ray Imaging of GPS and CSS Quasars) The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to conduct a survey of GPS and CSS radio-loud quasars, by studying their arcsecond structure in the X-rays, by searching for X-ray jets, and by searching for signatures of intermittent AGN activity. The proposal completed nominally 2.0 FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUMMARY: 2.1 Guide Star Acquisitions: Scheduled Acquisitions: 48 Successful: 47 Scheduled Re-acquisitions: 41 Successful: 40 Per HSTAR 8445, the acquisition at 363/195140Z failed when the search radius limit for both FGS-2 and FGS-3 was exceeded. The subsequent re-acquisition at 383/200919Z also failed. The proposal described in 1.24 was affected. Per HSTAR 8448, the acquisition at 365/060611Z defaulted to fine lock back-up on FGS-3 only when the scan step limit was exceeded on FGS-1..The proposals described in 1.1 and 1.6 may have been affected. 2.2 FHST Updates: Scheduled: 102 Successful: 100 As documented in HSTAR 8447, the full maneuver updates scheduled for 364/164614Z and 364/164859Z failed due to tracker #3. Subsequent acquisitions were successful. 2.3 Operations Notes: Using ROP SR-1A, the SSR-1 EDAC error counter was cleared eleven times. The CCS engineering status buffer limits were adjusted six times per ROP DF-18A. Per an operations request, telemetry diagnostics were performed at 362/0030Z in order to obtain RWA data. ROP IC-2 was used to turn SSA transmitter #2 on for the interval 362/0941Z to 362/1003Z. HSTAR 8444 document the fact that the telemetry point SMAELEXT (the MCE-A Electronics temperature) flagged out-of-limits high at 49.09 degC (the high limit being 49.0 degC). Per agreement with the Systems Engineer, the ground system limit was adjusted to 51.5 degC. The flight operations team transferred operations to the GSFC back-up facility from 363/1200Z to 364/0000Z to allow for repair of the main power switchgear at the STScI. There were STIS EMC re-tries at 363/012213Z and at 364/045341Z. In each case, ROP NS-12 was used to reset the STIS flight software error counter. HSTAR 8446 was written when real-time recoverable data was lost from 364/025615Z to 364/030941Z due to currently unknown CCS problems. The data was subsequently unsuccessfully recovered by a line outage recorder playback performed at 365.2340Z. A TTR was written for a required re-transmit during a NSSC-1 load at 364/1317Z. ROP NS-5 was used at 364/1322Z to reset the SI C&DH error counter. Another TTR was generated for a required re-transmit at 365/0918Z during a 486 uplink. The STIS MCE-1 reset at 365/003426Z. The STIS flight software error counter was reset at 365/0043Z per ROP NS-12. MAMA-1 was recovered at the time of the following high voltage on commanding in the SMS. The SSR-3 EDAC error counter was cleared at 365/0925Z, using ROP SR-9A. A TTR was written for a needed re-transmit at 365/2014Z during a NSSC-1 load. The SI C&DH error counter was reset at 365/2020Z per ROP NS-5. The ephemeris table was uplinked at 001/0028Z, using ROP DF-07A. An NSSC-1 status buffer dump was commanded at 001/2111Z as directed by ROP NS-3. 3.0 SIGNIFICANT FORTHCOMING EVENTS: Continuation of normal science observations and calibrations. /CAW