HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE

  DAILY REPORT #2912

PERIOD COVERED:  0000Z (UTC) 07/11/01 - 0000Z (UTC) 07/12/01

Daily Status Report as of 193/0000Z

1.0 OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED AND ACCOMPLISHED:

    1.1 Completed STIS/CCD 8841 (Hot Pixel Annealing C9)

        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to improve 
the effectiveness of the CCD hot pixel annealing process.  This is assessed 
by measuring the dark current behavior before and after annealing and by 
searching for any window contamination effects.  In addition CTE 
performance is examined by looking for traps in a low signal level 
flat.  The observations completed with no reported problems.

    1.2 Completed WF/PC-2 8683 (Imaging Of Brightest Cluster Galaxies: The 
High End Of The Black Hole Mass Distribution)

        The WF/PC-2 was used to make kinematic black hole detections in 
galaxies to decide whether they indicate that the mass correlates with both 
optical luminosity and radio power.  The observation completed with no 
reported problems.

    1.3 Completed WF/PC-2 9085 (Measuring The Masses Of High-Z Quasar Host 
Galaxies)

        The WF/PC-2 was used to investigate the close link between 
black-hole mass and spheroid mass in both quiescent and active galaxies in 
the local universe.  Consequently black-hole and spheroid formation/growth 
are now viewed as intimately related processes, and establishing the mass 
of quasar host galaxies as a function of redshift is now seen as a key 
measurement in observational cosmology.  From the Cycle 7 NICMOS program, 
the best estimate to date of the mass evolution of the hosts of both 
radio-quiet and radio-loud quasars out to z ~eq 2 has been derived.  Under 
the assumption of passive stellar-population evolution our results are 
consistent with the black-hole/spheroid population being unchanged out to z 
~eq 2.  However, the crucial assumption of passive evolution needs to be 
tested.  All observations competed nominally.

    1.4 Completed Two Sets of WF/PC-2 8828 (Cycle 9 Supplemental Darks pt3/3)

        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 proposal completed with no reported problems.

    1.5 Completed Two Sets of WF/PC-2 8825 (Decontaminations and Associated 
Observations 4/4)

        The WF/PC-2 was used to perform the monthly decontaminations 
(decons).  Also included are instrument monitors tied to decons: 
photometric stability check, focus monitor, pre- and post-decon internals 
{bias, intflats, kspots, & darks}, UV throughput check, VISFLAT sweep, and 
internal UV flat check.  The proposal completed with no reported problems.

    1.6 Completed Seven Sets of FGS/1 8731 (A High Angular Resolution 
Survey of the Most Massive Stars in the SMC)

        Fine Guidance Sensor #1 was used to conduct high angular resolution 
observations of some of the SMC's hottest and most luminous objects by 
conducting a comprehensive survey of nearly every spectral type in the 
upper portion of the HR diagram.  Binary or multiple star systems will be 
detected down to an unprecedented level, more than one order of magnitude 
better than possible with WFPC2.  The targets selected include a 
representative list of normal Main Sequence O-stars and their evolved 
descendents, namely supergiants, hypergiants, LBVs, and WRs, many of which 
have been previously observed by HST's spectrometers for purposes of 
cosmological calibrations.  The observations completed, and no problems 
were reported.

    1.7 Completed Two Sets of STIS/CCD 8841 (Hot Pixel Annealing C9)

        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to improve 
the effectiveness of the CCD hot pixel annealing process.  This is assessed 
by measuring the dark current behavior before and after annealing and by 
searching for any window contamination effects.  In addition CTE 
performance is examined by looking for traps in a low signal level 
flat.  The observations completed with no reported problems.

    1.8 Completed STIS/CCD 9262 (Side-2 Slit Locations)

        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to measure 
the slit/aperture positions that are expected to be different when the STIS 
is run through side 2 than when it is run from side 1.  This proposal will 
determine the location in pixel coordinates on the STIS CCD detector of the 
positions of the set of STIS acquisition apertures and slits.  This will be 
accomplished by a set of internal exposures, using the tungsten lamp for 
illumination.  All images will be taken with the acquisition mirror.  An 
image will be taken at each nominal slit or aperture position {on the slit 
wheel}.  This activity will also be used to verify repeatability of the 
slit wheel mechanism.  In addition to taking images at the nominal slit 
position, multiple images will be taken for a subset of the slits after 
having moved the slit wheel.  There were no reported problems.

    1.9 Competed STIS/CCD 9263 (Side 2: MSM positioning of STIS CCD Modes)

        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to 
determine the MSM positions for different STIS modes that are expected to 
be slightly different when the STIS is run through side 2 than when it is 
run from side 1.  These MSM positions for various prime CCD modes are 
confirmed by taking images with the IM Pt/Cr/Ne calibration lamp.  For 
first order long-slit modes, the exposures shall be made through 
52x0.1arcsec slit.  For the echelle modes, the exposures shall be made 
through echelle slits of the nominal height, to avoid order confusion.  One 
exposure shall be taken for each prime mode except for the medium 
dispersion{M}, long slit modes.  For the medium dispersion, long-slit 
modes, additional exposures shall be taken at the long and short wavelength 
settings of the nominal scan range.  Exposures will be sufficiently long to 
bring out enough line features to confirm wavelength identifications, with 
sufficient signal to noise to reveal the shadows of the fiducials in the 
long slit images to confirm spatial pointing.  This activity tested all 
primary modes and test the extremes of the MSM scanning cylinders by 
observing the extreme settings of the modes.  No anomalous activity was 
reported.

2.0 FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUMMARY:

    2.1 Guide Star Acquisitions:
       Scheduled Acquisitions: 12
Successful: 11

        Per HSTAR 8268, the acquisition at 193/023745Z failed when the 
search radius limit was exceeded on FGS-2.  A proposal, occurring during 
the period of the next report, was affected: WF/PC-2 8825.
  Scheduled Re-acquisitions:  0
Successful:  0

    2.2 FHST Updates:
Scheduled: 19
Successful: 19

    2.3 Operations Notes:

        The STIS instrument has returned to normal operations.  See 1.1, 
1.7, 1.8, and 1.9 above.

        Using ROP SR-1A, the SSR EDAC error counter was cleared three times.

        The engineering status buffer limits were adjusted twice per ROP 
DF-18A.

        CCS string "G" was configured for prime operations at 192/2025Z.

3.0 SIGNIFICANT FORTHCOMING EVENTS:

        Continuation of normal science observations and calibrations.

/CAW