HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE DAILY REPORT #2949 PERIOD COVERED: 0000Z (UTC) 08/31/01 - 0000Z (UTC) 09/04/01 Daily Status Report as of 247/0000Z 1.0 OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED AND ACCOMPLISHED: 1.1 Completed STIS/CCD/MA2 9051 (Identifying Damped Lyman-alpha Galaxies at z~1) The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA2) was used to look for samped Lyman-alpha absorption systems that contain the bulk of the neutral gas in the Universe in the redshift range z = 0.5 - 5 ,yet the nature of the galaxies responsible for the absorption is not well understood. Only recently have observers found more than a handful of damped absorbers at redshifts z < 1.5. Using the FIRST Bright Quasar Survey {FBQS}, with over a 1000 quasars, the proposers have undertaken a survey to build a complete picture of he nature of the galaxies responsible for damped Lyman-alpha absorption systems at z~1 and to double the sample size at this redshift. No problems were encountered. 1.2 Completed Sixteen Sets of WF/PC-2 9244 (POMS Test Proposal: WFII Parallel Archive Proposal Continuation) The WF/PC-2 was used to perform a generic target version of the 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 Group. The observations completed with no anomalous activity. 1.3 Completed Two Sets of STIS/CCD 8864 (CCD Dark Monitor-Part 2) The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to monitor the darks for the CCD. The proposal completed nominally. 1.4 Completed STIS/CCD/MA2 8569 (A New Survey for Low-Redshift Damped Lyman-Alpha Lines in QSO MgII Systems) The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA2) was used to support studies which have shown that most of the observable neutral gas mass in the Universe resides in QSO damped LyAlpha {DLA} systems. However, at low redshift, DLA can only be found by searching in the UV with HST. By boot-strapping from the MgII statistics, we will be able to further improve the determination of the low- redshift statistical properties of DLA {their incidence and cosmological mass density} and open up new opportunities for studies at low redshift. The observations completed nominally. 1.5 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1/MA2 9113 (Solar UV Radiation and the Origin of Life on Earth) The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD, MA1 and MA2) was used to observe chromospheric models that will enable the proposers to predict the extreme-UV emission of the early Sun and its consequences for the erosion of the early Earth's atmosphere and the altered oxidation state of the planet, and investigate the effect of metallicity on the UV emission and its consequences for the photochemistry of Earth-like planets. There was no anomalous activity. 1.6 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. As described in 2.1 and HSTAR 8321, the acquisition for the first iteration of this proposal defaulted to fine lock backup on one FGS only, possibly affecting eleven observations. Then, during the second iteration the loss of lock mentioned in 2.1 and HSTAR 8324 occurred, possibly affecting an observation. Otherwise, the observations were completed as planned, and no other anomalies were reported. 1.7 Completed WF/PC-2 8656 (The Hydrogen-Burning Limit in the Globular Cluster NGC 6397) The WF/PC-2 was used to perform a major enhancement of an earlier study of the bottom of the main sequence (MS) of NGC 6397, the globular cluster with the smallest distance modulus. In the earlier work the lowest part of the MS had been lost among the numerically dominant field stars; but accurate astrometry, over a baseline of a few years, now allows an excellent proper-motion separation of faint cluster stars from the field. As described in 2.1 and HSTAR 8321, the acquisition for this proposal defaulted to fine lock backup on one FGS only, possibly affecting eleven observations. Then, during the proposal the loss of lock mentioned in 2.1 and HSTAR 8324 occurred, possibly affecting an observation. Otherwise, the proposal completed with no other reported problems. 1.8 Completed STIS/CCD 8865 (Bias Monitor-Part 2) 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 anomalous activity. 1.9 Completed Two Sets of 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. 1.10 Completed Three Sets of WF/PC-2 9249 (POMS Test Proposal: WFII Backup Parallel Archive Proposal II) The WF/PC-2 was used to execute a POMS test proposal designed to simulate scientific plans. The proposal completed with no reported problems. 1.11 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. 1.12 Completed STIS/CCD 9128 (A Snapshot Survey of Absorption Lines from High Velocity Clouds in the Milky Way) The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to search for Mg II and Mg I absorption from Galactic High Velocity Clouds {HVCs} along the sightlines of 51 of the brightest QSOs, BL Lacs and Seyfert 2 galaxies in the sky. The observations completed with no reported problems. 1.13 Completed Six Sets of WF/PC-2 8815 (Cycle 9 Earth Flats) The WF/PC-2 was used to monitor flatfield stability. This proposal obtains 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. The proposal completed nominally. 1.14 Completed STIS/CCD/MA2 8770 (The Nucleosynthesis of Boron - Benchmarks for the Galactic Disk) The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA2) was used to determine boron (B) abundance. In spite of several HST cycles of B abundance determinations, we do not know the true, ambient, present-day abundance of B. Only two stars {with undepleted Li and Be} have been observed to derive the Population I true B abundance. Past cycles have focused on {1} halo stars with low metallicity and {2} solar-type stars with Li and/or Be deficiencies. In this proposal, the stellar abundances of B will be determined, measured from the B I 2497 Angstrom line from STIS echelle spectra, of main sequence F-G stars that have retained their full initial abundances of boron. Our target stars are those for which ground-based observations show that beryllium is undepleted. These new abundances will map evolution of the B abundance in the Galactic disk in the metallicity range from one-third solar up to solar. Then the B, and previously determined Li and Be abundances, will be used to improve understanding of the nucleosynthesis of B. There were no reported anomalies. 1.15 Completed Nine Sets of WF/PC-2 8936 (Cycle 10 Supplemental Darks Pt1/3) The WF/PC-2 was used to perform a dark calibration program that obtains three dark frames every day to provide data for monitoring and characterizing the evolution of hot pixels. The proposal completed with no reported problems. 1.16 Completed STIS/CCD 8912 (Full-Field Sensitivity Monitor C10) The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to measure a photometric standard star field in Omega Cen in 50CCD mode every few months to monitor CCD sensitivity over the whole field of view. No problems were encountered. 1.17 Completed Six Sets of STIS/CCD 8901 (Dark Monitor-Part 1) The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to monitor. There was no anomalous activity. 1.18 Completed Two Sets of 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. 1.19 Completed Five Sets of STIS/CCD 8900 (Performance Monitor) The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to measure the baseline performance and commandability of the CCD subsystem. All exposures are internals. The observations completed normally. 1.20 Completed WF/PC-2 9160 (Disks and Envelopes of Nearby Nebulous Young Stellar Objects: A Snapshot Survey) The WF/PC-2 was used to perform a snapshot survey of nearby nebulous young stellar objects to study the detailed morphology of the their disks and envelopes and probe the effect of inclination on the infrared spectral energy distribution of disk/envelope systems. The proposal completed as planned. 1.21 Completed STIS/CCD 9107 (The Fundamental Plane for Nuclear Black Holes) The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to conduct more in-depth searches for supermassive black holes in galaxy centers. Previous work has led to the discoveries that {1} most or all hot galaxies contain massive dark objects at their centers, presumably black holes; {2} there is a remarkably tight correlation between the black-hole mass and the luminosity-weighted velocity dispersion of the hot component of the galaxy. This mbh-Sigma relation has a scatter which is <0.3 dex in mbh and consistent with zero. This 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. The goal of this proposal is to investigate the scatter in the mbh-Sigma relation and the role of possible second parameters, by examining a sample of galaxies at fixed velocity dispersion Sigma=200+/- 20 kms. This approach decouples the effects of a second parameter from uncertainties in the shape of the mbh-Sigma relation, and minimizes spurious correlations because all of the galaxies will be studied using the same well-tested observational and modeling techniques. No anomalous activity occurred. 1.22 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. 1.23 Completed WF/PC-2 9133 (Imaging of Gravitational Lenses) The WF/PC-2 was used to observe gravitational lenses that offer unique opportunities to study cosmology, galactic structure, galaxy evolution, quasar hosts and extinction. They are also the only sample of galaxies selected on the basis of their mass rather than their luminosity or surface brightness. While gravitational lenses can be discovered with ground-based optical and radio observatories, converting them from curiosities into scientific tools requires HST. There were no reported anomalies. 1.24 Completed Two Sets of 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. 1.25 Completed STIS/CCD/MA2 9156 (Spectrum And Pulse Profile Of PSR 0656+14 In The Near-UV) The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA2) was used to perform prism observations of the middle-aged pulsar PSR B0656+14. This would allow the proposers to make for the first time phase- resolved spectroscopy of a middle-aged pulsar as a function of wavelength in the UV, and to study how the pulse profile of such a pulsar at these wavelengths differs from the only similar data available so far, namely those of the much younger Crab pulsar. This is important for the understanding of how the spectral evolution evolves with pulsar age. There were no reported problems. 1.26 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. 1.27 Completed WF/PC-2 9155 (The Cepheid Distance to NGC 1637: A Direct Comparison with the EPM Distance to SN 1999em) The WF/PC-2 was used to directly compare distances estimated by two primary extragalactic distance indicators. T he appearance of supernova 1999em, a bright, extremely well- observed type II plateau event in the nearby SBc galaxy NGC 1637 offers the best chance to test the consistency of the Expanding Photosphere Method {EPM} of supernova distance determination with that derived from Cepheid variable stars. Although EPM distances have been measured to 18 type II supernovae out to 180 Mpc and used to determine Hubble's constant independent of the Cepheid distance, there have never been any measurements of Cepheids in a galaxy that has hosted a normal type II-P supernova, the classic variety of core-collapse event to which EPM-derived distances are most robust. The proposal completed nominally. 1.28 Completed STIS/CCD 8669 (Merger-Driven Evolution Of Galactic Nuclei: Observations Of The Toomre Sequence) The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) 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. The proposal completed nominally. 1.29 Completed Two Sets of 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. 1.30 Completed STIS/CCD 8846 (Imaging Flats C9) The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to investigate flat-field stability over a monthly period. The proposal completed nominally. 1.31 Completed STIS/CCD 9121 (Evolution of the Host Galaxies in Low- Power AGN) The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to study the evolution of low-power AGN host galaxies to z~1.3, allowing the direct study of how the formation and life cycles of radio-loud AGN depend on intrinsic power. There were no reported problems. 1.32 Completed Three 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 described in 2.1 and HSTAR 8326, the acquisition for the middle iteration of this proposal failed, affecting six observations when the take data flag remained down. Otherwise, the observations completed nominally. 1.33 Completed Two Sets of 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 loss of lock documented in HSTAR 8325 and 2.1 occurred during the second iteration of this proposal. Otherwise, the proposal completed with no other problems. 1.34 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1 8638 (Temperature Scale And Metal Abundances Of Hot Hydrogen-Rich Central Stars Of Planetary Nebulae) The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA1) was used to perform UV spectroscopy on a sample of hot hydrogen-rich central stars of PNe, covering the hottest phase of post-AGB evolution. The spectra will then be analyzed with fully metal line blanketed NLTE model atmospheres in order to determine T_eff, surface gravity, and chemical composition. The proposal completed with no reported problems. 1.35 Completed Two Sets of STIS/MA1/MA2 8843 (Cycle 9 MAMA Dark Measurements) The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (MA1 and MA2) was used to perform the routine monitoring of the MAMA detector dark noise. The proposal completed nominally. 1.36 Completed Two Sets of WF/PC-2 9057 (Host Galaxies of Obscured QSOs Identified by 2MASS) The WF/PC-2 was used to perform a snapshot survey of red QSOs discovered in The Two Micron All Sky Survey {2MASS} to investigate the detailed properties of their host galaxies. This large, possibly dominant, population of QSOs in the local universe has been previously overlooked because reddening by {intrinsic} obscuration along our line of sight causes their colors to be too red for identification by traditional "UV- excess" techniques. Their near-IR colors are similar to PG- type {UV-excess} QSOs, but it is far from certain whether they are indeed from the same parent population or represent a completely new class of QSO. There were no reported problems. 1.37 Completed Two Sets of STIS/CCD/MA2 8614 (NUV Extension of the Arcturus Project: Probing the Onset of Chromospheric Heating) The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA2) was used to observe two stars that have multi-wavelength atlases at resolutions high enough to resolve dynamically interesting line structure: the Sun {G2 V} and Arcturus {K2 III}. The observations completed with no reported problems. 1.38 Completed Two Sets of WF/PC-2 8939 (Cycle 10 Internal Monitor) The WF/PC-2 was used to calibrate the internal monitor, to be run weekly to monitor the health of the cameras. No problems were encountered. 1.39 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. 1.40 Completed STIS/CCD 8905 (Read Noise Monitor) The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was to be used to measure the read noise of all the amplifiers {A, B, C, D} on the STIS CCD using pairs of bias frames. However, as described in 2.1 and HSTAR 8326, the acquisition for this proposal failed, affecting four observations when the take data flag remained down. 1.41 Completed S/C 5582 (FOC/48 Monthly Activation (Camera Section Only): Cycle 4) This proposal was executed as scheduled, and no anomalies were noted. 1.42 Completed FGS/1 8729 (Speedy Gonzales Mass Determinations: Fast Orbiting Red Dwarf Systems) The FGS #1 was used to observe five fast-orbiting red dwarf systems to determine masses for objects near the end of the stellar main sequence. All five systems have periods of two years or less, hence the moniker "Speedy Gonzales'' systems. In addition, all have parallaxes placing them within 10 parsecs, so high quality masses with errors less than 5% can be derived. The observation completed as planned. 1.43 Completed FOC/96 7923 (FOC F/96 Turn-on) The Faint Object Camera (f/96) was used to take an internal flat and a dark to ensure that the 30-day limit for the FOC is not exceeded. The observations were executed as scheduled, and no anomalies were noted. 1.44 Completed WF/PC-2/STIS/CCD 8573 (Newborn Planets and Brown Dwarf Companions in IC 348) The WF/PC-2 and the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) were used to search for young giant planets and brown dwarfs around ~100 low-mass stars and brown dwarfs in the nearby cluster IC 348. The observations completed with no reported problems. 2.0 FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUMMARY: 2.1 Guide Star Acquisitions: Scheduled Acquisitions: 40 Successful: 39 Per HSTAR 8321, the acquisition at 243/094541Z and the following re-acquisition defaulted to fine lock backup on FGS-3 only when the scan step limit was exceeded on FGS-2. The proposals detailed in 1.6 and 1.7 may have been affected. There was a loss of lock on FGS-3 at 243/134136Z. HSTAR 8324 was written. The proposals described in 1.6 and 1.7 may have been affected. As detailed in HSTAR 8325, there was another loss of lock at 246/074101Z that lasted until 246/074207Z. The proposal described in 1.33 was affected. Per HSTAR 8326, following two full maneuver update failures at 246/093715Z and at 246/094000Z, the acquisition scheduled for 246/095501Z failed when the search radius limit was exceeded for FGS-3. The proposals described in 1.32 and 1.40 were affected. Scheduled Re-acquisitions: 25 Successful: 25 2.2 FHST Updates: Scheduled: 92 Successful: 90 Per HSTAR 8326, the full maneuver updates at 246/093715Z and at 247/090400Z failed due to FHST #3. 2.3 Operations Notes: Using ROP SR-1A, the SSR EDAC error counter was cleared ten times. Per an operations request, there was an EPS adjustment for high suntime at 243/1356Z. A TTR was written for multiple minor frame gaps beginning at 245/001506Z. The engineering status buffer (ESB) limits were adjusted four times per ROP DF-18A. Using the same ROP, the ESB was dumped and cleared at 246/1437Z. Three TTRs were written for required re-transmits during uplinks at 244/034754Z, at 246/084237Z, and at 247/041837Z. The ephemeris table was uplinked at 247/0011Z per ROP DF-07A. Using ROP NS-5, SI C&DH errors were reset at 247/0424Z. 3.0 SIGNIFICANT FORTHCOMING EVENTS: Continuation of normal science observations and calibrations. /CAW