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 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.

    1.12 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<z<1.2 using the 850LP filter.  When combined with a ground-based 
J-band follow-up campaign, the proposers can expect to measure the mean 
luminosity distance of the sample at z~ 1.05 to better than 5.  At these 
redshifts, the effect of Omega_Lambda has all but vanished and the Universe 
was decelerating due to its known matter content.  Because any simple 
systematic error will deviate substantially from the non-monotonic effect 
of a Omega_Lambda > 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.

3.0 SIGNIFICANT FORTHCOMING EVENTS:

        Joint Integrated Simulation #4 (EVA3/Planning/EVA-4) will start 
today at 09:00 a.m. and continue until tomorrow at approximately 08:00 p.m. 
tomorrow.

        Continuation of normal science observations and calibrations.

/CAW