HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE DAILY REPORT #3028 PERIOD COVERED: 0000Z (UTC) 01/04/02 - 0000Z (UTC) 01/07/02 Daily Status Report as of 007/0000Z 1.0 OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED AND ACCOMPLISHED: 1.1 Completed Twenty-three Sets of STIS/CCD/MA1/MA2 8914 (Sensitivity Monitor C10) The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD, MA1 and MA2) 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. As described in 2.1 and HSTAR 8454, the acquisition for the sixth iteration of this proposal defaulted to fine lock backup on one FGS only, possibly affecting the observations in this iteration. Otherwise, there was no further anomalous activity. 1.2 Completed Eight 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. 1.3 Completed Seven 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. 1.4 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. 1.5 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 detailed in 2.1 and HSTAR 8455, the acquisition for the eleventh iteration of this proposal defaulted to fine lock backup on one FGS only, possibly affecting two observations. Otherwise, there were no further reported problems. 1.6 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. 1.7 Completed Twelve 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. As described in 2.1 and HSTAR 8454, the acquisition for the eighth iteration of this proposal defaulted to fine lock backup on one FGS only, possibly affecting eight observations in this iteration. Then, as described in HSTAR 8456 and 2.1, the acquisition for the final iteration of this proposal defaulted to fine lock backup on FGS-3 only when the scan step limit was exceeded on FGS-1, possibly affecting ten observations. Otherwise, the proposal completed without further incident. 1.8 Completed Three 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. 1.9 Completed Two Sets of STIS/CCD 8639 (The Origin of Gaseous Outflows in Active Galaxies) The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to obtain images, previously observed by WF/PC-2, of the ionized gas in the Circinus galaxy, a nearby Seyfert 2. The previous images reveal that the nuclear high excitation gas is ``V-shaped'' and represents the inner part of the ``ionization cone'' seen previously on much larger scales in ground-based observations. These images suggest that the observed emission lies along the boundary of a conical structure, a situation which has probably originated through mass entrainment of dense gas in the galaxy disk along the edges of a low density outflow. The proposers wish to obtain long slit observations of this structure. The goals are: 1} to confirm or reject this picture kinematically; 2} investigate how gas is entrained into the outflow from the dense ism in the galaxy disk in the inner region of the outflow at unprecedented spatial resolution for a Seyfert galaxy {our resolution of 1 pc is comparable to or smaller than the expected radius of the inner edge of the putative blocking ``torus''}; 3} distinguish between collimation of ionization photons or of gaseous outflow as the origin of the "ionization cone''; and 4} attempt to measure the mass of the nuclear black hole using a long slit spectrum of the disk HII regions. The observations completed with no reported problems. 1.10 Completed Four Sets of STIS/CCD 8669 (Merger-Driven Evolution Of Galactic Nuclei: Observations Of The Toomre Sequence) The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCCD) was used to observe galaxy mergers that are believed responsible for triggering starburst and AGN activity in galaxies, and even perhaps transforming spiral galaxies into ellipticals. As described in 2.1 and HSTAR 8454, the acquisition for the sixth iteration of this proposal defaulted to fine lock backup on one FGS only, possibly affecting the observations in this iteration. Then, as described in HSTAR 8456 and 2.1, the acquisition for the third iteration of this proposal defaulted to fine lock backup on FGS-3 only when the scan step limit was exceeded on FGS-1, possibly affecting one observation. Otherwise, the proposal completed nominally. 1.11 Completed Four 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. 1.12 Completed Seven 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. 1.13 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. 1.14 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. The observations completed nominally. 1.15 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. 1.16 Completed FGS/1 8898 (Calibrating FGS1r's Interferometric Response as a Function of Spectral Color) Fine Guidance Sensor #1 was used to obtain reference point source Transfer Functions {S-Curves} through the F583W filter and the F5ND attenuator at the center position of the FGS1r FOV for a variety of stellar spectral colors. The data will be added to the library of point source interferograms that was assembled from the Cycles 8 and 9 calibration program. These Transfer Functions are needed to support the analysis of GO science data for the study of close and wide binary star systems and for determining the angular diameter of extended sources. The proposal completed with no reported problems. 1.17 Completed STIS/CCD 7912 (STIS Parallel Archive Proposal - Nearby Galaxies - Imaging and Spectroscopy) The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to make parallel observations of nearby galaxies. This survey will be useful to study the star formation histories, chemical evolution, and distances to these galaxies. The observations were completed as scheduled, and no problems were reported. 1.18 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 detailed in 2.1 and HSTAR 8455, the acquisition for the second iteration of this proposal defaulted to fine lock backup on one FGS only, possibly affecting one observation. No other problems occurred. 1.19 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. 1.20 Completed WF/PC-2 9258 (Observatory Focus Monitor) The WF/PC-2 was used to more accurately define the HST focus. The HST focus drifts slowly and shows evidence of undergoing slips of a few microns at random times. The rate of the WF/PC-2 monitoring program is insufficient to track and/or understand OTA behavior in order to request timely and appropriate Secondary Mirror corrections. There were no reported problems. 1.21 Completed Three Sets 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. 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. 1.22 Completed STIS/CCD 9187 (A Lyman Limit Snapshot Survey: The Search for Candidate D/H Absorbers) The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to measure D/H in gas clouds seen against background QSOs. This provides a unique and fundamental cosmological probe of the baryonic density parameter. To date, most of the QSO absorption line D/H constraints have been derived at high redshift. In this proposal the proposers investigate a lower redshift range, because there are two potentially crucial advantages to be gained by carrying out D/H measurements at intermediate redshift. First, the background of HI forest lines is lower and contamination of the DI feature is significantly reduced. Second, a far larger sample of very bright QSOs exists. There were no reported problems. 2.0 FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUMMARY: 2.1 Guide Star Acquisitions: Scheduled Acquisitions: 24 Successful: 24 The acquisition at 004/213536Z defaulted to fine lock backup on FGS-3 only when the scan step limit was exceeded on FGS-1. HSTAR 8454 was written. The proposals detailed in 1.0, 1.7 and 1.10 may have been affected. HSTAR 8455 documents that the acquisition at 005/202040Z defaulted to fine lock backup on FGS-1 only when the scan step limit was exceeded on FGS-2. The proposals described in 1.5 and 1.18 may have been affected. As described in HSTAR 8456, the acquisition at 005 213718Z defaulted to fine lock backup on FGS-3 only when the scan step limit was exceeded on FGS-1.. The proposals detailed in 1.7 and 1.10 may have been affected. Scheduled Re-acquisitions: 24 Successful: 24 2.2 FHST Updates: Scheduled: 53 Successful: 53 2.3 Operations Notes: Using ROP SR-1A, the SSR-1 EDAC errors were cleared six times. Per an operations note, the Bay 6 Bulkhead Temperature high limit was changed at 004/1647Z. The STIS Bulkhead 7 Temperature high limit was modified at 004/1927Z as directed by an operations note. Per an operations note, the high limit for the STIS parameter OTCZ3BT was changed at 004/2006Z. Per an operations request, PN format was commanded and TLMDIAGs were used to collect RWA-2 data at 004/2300Z and at 005/0535Z. Per HSTAR 8457, the axial link #1 temperature (EAXLK1T) began to toggle in and out of limits at 006/025552Z with a high value of 27.185 degC. A temporary limit change was made for this parameter at 006/14443Z, per an operations note. Per HSTAR 8458, the MRA 23 temperature (EMRA23T) flagged out-of-limits high at 007/000453Z with a value of 21.0706 degC. As directed by ROP IC-2, SSA transmitter #2 was turned on and off for the interval 007/0538Z to 007/0603Z. 3.0 SIGNIFICANT FORTHCOMING EVENTS: Continuation of normal science observations and calibrations. /CAW