HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE


DAILY REPORT #2612

PERIOD COVERED:  0000Z (UTC) 04/27/00 - 0000Z (UTC) 04/28/00

Daily Status Report as of 119/0000Z

1.0 OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED AND ACCOMPLISHED:

    1.1 Completed Four Sets of STIS/CCD 8549 (POMS Test Proposal: 
Non-Scripted Parallel Proposal Continuation I)

        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.

    1.2 Completed Three Sets of WF/PC-2 8460 (Cycle 8 Supplemental Darks pt2/3)

        The WF/PC-2 was used to obtain three dark frames every day to 
provide data for monitoring and characterizing the evolution of hot 
pixels.  The observations completed with no reported problems.

    1.3 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1/MA2 8198 (Understanding the Starburst-like 
Dust in the Small Magellanic Cloud)

        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD, MA1 and MA2) was 
used to investigatethe similarities between the ultraviolet extinction 
found in the star forming bar of the Small Magellanic Cloud {SMC} and 
starburst galaxies has highlighted the importance of understanding the dust 
extinction in the SMC.  The proposal completed with no reported problems.

    1.4 Completed Four Sets of WF/PC-2 8805 (POMS Test Proposal: WFII 
Parallel Archive Proposal Continuation)

        The WF/PC-2 was used to perform a generic target version of the 
WFPC2 Archival Pure Parallel program.  The program will be used to take 
parallel images of random areas of the sky, following the recommendations 
of the Parallels Working.  The proposal completed with no reported problems.

    1.5 Completed STIS/MA2 8426 (Cycle 8 MAMA Dark Measurements)

        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (MA2) was used to make a 
routine Cycle-8 MAMA dark noise calibration measurement.  This proposal 
will provide the primary means of checking on the health of the MAMA 
detectors.  This is done through frequent monitoring of the background 
count rate.  The observations were completed as planned, and no problems 
were reported.

    1.6 Completed STIS/CCD 8439 (Bias Monitor-Part 2 C8)

        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.  The proposal completed with no reported problems.

    1.7 Completed FGS 8466 (Long Term Stability of FGS2R in Postition Mode)

        FGS-2R was used to monitor the internal positional stability of 
this FGS by measuring many stars in the M35 check field repeatedly over a 
one year period.  The proposal completed nominally.

    1.8 Completed Two Sets of STIS/CCD 8437 (Dark Monitor-Part 2 C8)

        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to monitor 
the darks.  The proposal completed nominally.

    1.9 Completed FGS 8292 (Calibrating the Mass-Luminosity Relation at the 
End of the Main Sequence)

        The Fine Guidance Sensor (FGS1R) was used to make astrometric 
observations of the star G250-29-US and other nearby reference stars.  This 
is part of a study to calibrate the mass-luminosity relation for stars less 
massive than 0.2 Msun, with special emphasis on objects near the 
stellar/brown dwarf border.  The observations were completed as planned, 
and no problems were reported.

    1.10 Completed WF/PC-2 8444 (WF/PC-2 CYCLE-8 Internal Monitor)

        The WF/PC-2 was used to make a bias, and an internal flat, 
observation as part of a Cycle-8 monitoring program to monitor the health 
of the cameras.  A variety of internal exposures are obtained in order to 
provide a monitor of the integrity of the CCD camera electronics in both 
bays {gain 7 and gain 15}, a test for quantum efficiency in the CCDs, and a 
monitor for possible buildup of contaminants on the CCD windows.  The 
observations were executed as scheduled, and no anomalies were noted.

    1.11 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1/MA2 8423 (FASTEX --- Faint Standard Extension)
                                                 HST Proposal 8423

        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD, MA1 and MA2) was 
used to measure the fainter standard stars which are needed for the flux 
calibration of COS and for the prism modes on ACS.  The proposal completed 
with no outstanding problems.

    1.12 Completed WF/PC-2 8544 (POMS Test Proposal: WFII Backup Parallel 
Archive Proposal II)

        The WF/PC-2 was used to execute a POMS test proposal which was 
designed to simulate scientific plans.  No problems were encountered.

    1.13 Completed STIS/MA2 8275 (Ultraviolet Snapshots of 3CR Radio Source 
Counterparts at Low Z)

        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (MA2) was used to make 
ultraviolet snapshot observations of the radio galaxy 3C350.0.  Radio 
galaxies are an important class of extragalactic objects, representing one 
of the most energetic astrophysical phenomena, while extraordinarily useful 
as probes of their environments and of the early Universe.  The 
observations were completed as scheduled, and no anomalies were reported.

    1.14 Completed WF/PC-2 8100 (Calibration of Nearby Type Ia Supernovae 
as Standard Candles: The Next Step)

        The WF/PC-2 was used to continue the calibration experiment for 
M{max} of type Ia supernovae {SNe Ia} by determining Cepheid distances to 
their parent galaxies.  The proposal completed nominally.

    1.15 Completed WF/PC-2 8153 (Exploring the Luminosity Function near the 
Limit of Hydrogen Burning in Globular Clusters)

        The WF/PC-2 was used to determine the color--magnitude diagram and 
luminosity function of M4-NEAR into the neighborhood of the 
hydrogen-burning limit.  Accurate astrometry, over a baseline of a few 
years, allows an excellent proper-motion separation of faint cluster stars 
from the numerically dominant field stars.  The observations completed 
nominally.

    1.16 Completed Two Sets of WF/PC-2 8445 (WF/PC-2 Cycle 8 Earth Flats)

        The WF/PC-2 was used to make Cycle 8 Earth flat calibration 
observations.  This is to obtain sequences of earth streak flats to 
construct high quality flat fields for the WF/PC-2 filter set.  The 
observations were executed as scheduled, and no anomalies were noted.

    1.17 Completed Two Sets of STIS/CCD 8797 (Spectroscopic Flats C8 - Late 
Continuation)

        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to perform 
Cycle 8 STIS CCD flat program in order to provide monitoring information to 
S/N levels up to about 600 which should be sufficient for the vast majority 
of science observations.  The observation completed nominally.

2.0 FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUMMARY:

    2.1 Guide Star Acquisitions:
       Scheduled Acquisitions: 5
Successful: 5

  Scheduled Re-acquisitions: 10
Successful: 10

    2.2 FHST Updates:
Scheduled: 11
Successful: 11

    2.3 Operations Notes:



3.0 SIGNIFICANT FORTHCOMING EVENTS:

        Continuation of normal science observations and calibrations.

/CAW