HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE

       DAILY REPORT #3038

PERIOD COVERED:  0000Z (UTC) 01/18/02 - 0000Z (UTC) 01/21/02

Daily Status Report as of 021/0000Z

1.0 OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED AND ACCOMPLISHED:

    1.1 Completed Five 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.

    1.2 Completed Eight 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 Two Sets of 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.

    1.4 Completed Nine 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.

    1.5 Completed Fourteen 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.

    1.6 Completed Three Sets of 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.

    1.7 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.

    1.8 Completed WF/PC-2 9238 (The Spatial and Ionization Structure of Cas 
A's Metal-Rich Ejecta)

        The WF/PC-2 was used to survey the small-scale spatial and 
ionization structures in the metal-rich ejecta of Cassiopeia A {Cas A}, 
then use these results to test reverse shock and CSM-interaction 
hydrodynamic and line emission models.  Cas A is the prototype for the 
class of young, oxygen-rich SNRs containing material moving at several 
thousand km s^-1 and exhibiting extreme O and Si-group {Si, S, Ar, and Ca} 
abundances due to nuclear processing in a massive star.  All observations 
completed nominally.

    1.9 Completed Thirteen 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.

    1.10 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.

    1.11 Completed STIS/CCD/MA2 8673 (The Properties of Ly-Alpha Absorbers 
at Redshifts Between 0.9HST)

        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA2) was used 
obtain new Echelle resolution spectra of three bright quasars which, when 
combined with archived and scheduled observations, will be used to 
characterize the properties of Ly-Alpha absorbers in the redshift range 
0.9<z<1.6.  There were no reported problems.

    1.12 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.

    1.13 Completed 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.

    1.14 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.

    1.15 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.

    1.16 Completed WF/PC-2 9124 (Mid-UV SNAPSHOT Survey of Nearby 
Irregulars: Galaxy Structure and Evolution Benchmark)

        The WF/PC-2 was used to investigate the relation between star 
formation and the global physical characteristics of galaxies to interpret 
the morphologies of distant galaxies in terms of their evolutionary 
status.  Distant galaxies are primarily observed in their rest frame 
mid-ultraviolet.  They resemble nearby late-type galaxies, but are they 
really physically similar classes of objects?  It is proposed to address 
this question through a SNAPSHOT survey in the 2 mid-UV filter F300W of 98 
nearby late-type, irregular and peculiar galaxies.  No problems were reported.

    1.17 Completed STIS/CCD 8908 (CCD Imaging Flats C10)

        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to 
investigate flat-field stability over a monthly period.  As described in 
2.1 and HSTAR 8476, the acquisition/re-acquisition defaults to fine lock 
back-up on one FGS only occurred during this proposal, possibly affecting 
the observations.  Otherwise, the proposal completed with no further 
reported problems.

    1.18 Completed Two Sets of 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 described in 2.1 and HSTAR 8476, the 
acquisition/re-acquisition defaults to fine lock back-up on one FGS only 
occurred during both iterations of this proposal, possibly affecting the 
observations.  Otherwise, the observations were completed as planned, and 
no further anomalies were reported.

    1.19 Completed WF/PC-2 9314 (Hubble Heritage Observations of IC4406)

        The WF/PC-2 was used to take observe IC4406.  This is a Hubble 
Heritage Project observation.  As described in 2.1 and HSTAR 8476, the 
acquisition/re-acquisition defaults to fine lock back-up on one FGS only 
occurred during this proposal, possibly affecting the 
observations.  Otherwise, no further problems were encountered.

    1.20 Completed 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.

    1.21 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.

    1.22 Completed Two Sets of STIS/CCD 9083 (Critical Spectroscopic 
Variations In Eta Carinae)

        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to observe 
the very massive, unstable, persistently enigmatic star Eta Carinae that 
has implications for several branches of astrophysics.  Despite a series of 
remarkable discoveries in previous HST data, the nature of the central 
object remains elusive.  Fortunately, recent developments offer, for the 
first time, an approach that can settle a number of long-standing questions 
which have been obstacles to understanding this unique object.  A 5.5-year 
spectroscopic and X-ray cycle is now well established.  STIS provides the 
most promising and very likely the only way to test whether Eta Car is a 
5.5-year binary system.  The proposal completed nominally.

    1.23 Completed Two 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.

    1.24 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.

    1.25 Completed FGS/3 8946 (Pre-SM3B Observations for Verification of 
Operational FGS Calibrations)

        Fine Guidance Sensor #3 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.

    1.26 Completed 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.

    1.27 Completed WF/PC-2 9157 (Fundamental Properties Of L-Type Dwarfs In 
Binaries)

        The WF/PC-2 was used to characterize the physical properties of 
eight L-dwarfs in four binary systems.  The goal is to obtain astrometric, 
photometric and spectroscopic measurements of each component that will 
yield basic information on atmospheric and dynamical properties.  The 
proposal completed nominally.

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

        Fine Guidance Sensor #1 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 #1.  The observations completed 
nominally.

2.0 FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUMMARY:

    2.1 Guide Star Acquisitions:
       Scheduled Acquisitions: 20
    Successful: 20

        Per HSTAR 8476, the acquisition at 019/143325Z defaulted to fine 
lock back-up on FGS-3 only when the scan step limit was exceeded on 
FGS-2.  The following re-acquisitions at 019/155957Z, at 109/173608Z and at 
019/193740Z were similarly affected.  The proposals detailed in 1.17, 1.18 
and 1.19 may have been affected.
  Scheduled Re-acquisitions: 23
    Successful: 23

    2.2 FHST Updates:
    Scheduled: 44
    Successful: 44

    2.3 Operations Notes:

        Using ROP SR-1A, the SRR-1 EDAC error counter was cleared five times.

        The SSR-2 EDAC error counter was cleared twice per ROP SR-9A.

        The flight software state-of-charge (SOC) benchmark and associated 
limits were modified at 018/1318Z per an operations request.  The SOC was 
updated from 350 Ah to 303 Ah.

        Per an operations request, the Fixed Head Star Tracker (FHST) self 
test was performed from 018/1559Z to 018/1605Z.  During this time all three 
FHST internal self test capability were tested.  Performance was 
nominal.  Upon the conclusion of the test, each test source properly 
transitioned back to the "off" state, leaving the vehicle in the same 
configuration as when the test began.

        A TTR was written for a required re-transmit at during a NSSC-1 
load.  Therefore, SI C&DH errors were reset at 018/2108Z as directed by ROP 
NS-05.

        Another TTR was generated when a re-transmit was needed at 
020/090319Z during a 486 uplink.  Accordingly, at 020/0913Z, per ROP 
DF-18A, the CCS engineering status buffer limits were adjusted (SESBSLD=3).

        The NSSC-1 status buffer was dumped at 020/1309Z, using ROP NS-03.

        There was a STIS EMC re-try at 021/032134Z.  The STIS flight 
software error counter was cleared at 021/0357Z per ROP NS-12.

3.0 SIGNIFICANT FORTHCOMING EVENTS:

        Continuation of normal science observations and calibrations.

/CAW