HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE DAILY REPORT #2991 PERIOD COVERED: 0000Z (UTC) 11/02/01 - 0000Z (UTC) 11/05/01 Daily Status Report as of 309/0000Z 1.0 OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED AND ACCOMPLISHED: 1.1 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. 1.2 Completed STIS/CCD 9117 (Spatially Resolved Spectroscopy of Super Star Clusters in the M82 Starbursts) The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to obtain spatially-resolved STIS spectroscopy of 20 clusters in M82's active starburst core and also in its ``fossil'' starburst region {of age >~ 200 Myr} as a means of tracing the history of star formation and its propagation. With the spatially-resolved spectra, the proposers will be able to study the internal structure of the clusters, evidence for internal mass segregation, their interaction with their surroundings {including M82's superwind}, and the character of the bright, diffuse non-cluster populations. No problems were reported. 1.3 Completed Four Sets of WF/PC-2 8932 (Decontaminations and Associated Observations Pt. 1/3) The WF/PC-2 was used for the monthly WFPC2 decons. Also included are instrument monitors tied to decons: photometric stability check, focus monitor, pre- and post-decon internals {bias, intflats, kspots, &and darks}, UV throughput check, VISFLAT sweep, and internal UV flat check. No problems were reported. 1.4 Completed STIS/CCD 9070 (A Census of Nuclear Star Clusters in Late-Type Spiral Galaxies: II. Spectroscopy and Stellar Populations) The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to investigate spiral galaxies that have a prominent star cluster in their dynamical center. Statistics for cluster frequency, size, and luminosity remain incomplete. The proposal completed as planned. 1.5 Completed Five 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. 1.6 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. 1.7 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. 1.8 Completed Two Sets of WF/PC-2 8932 (Decontaminations and Associated Observations Pt. 1/3) The WF/PC-2 was used for the monthly WFPC2 decons. Also included are instrument monitors tied to decons: photometric stability check, focus monitor, pre- and post-decon internals {bias, intflats, kspots, &and darks}, UV throughput check, VISFLAT sweep, and internal UV flat check. No problems were reported. 1.9 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. The observations completed nominally. 1.10 Completed Two Sets of WF/PC-2 8699 (The Origin of Short-Period Comets) The WF/PC-2 was used to detect and characterize cometary nuclei in order to determine the basic physical properties of a large fraction of the population of short-period comets. By acquiring statistically significant data, we can study the origin of this family of comets and test the hypothesis that they are collisional fragments from the Kuiper Belt Objects. The observations completed with no reported problems. 1.11 Completed Twelve Sets of WF/PC-2 8940 (Cycle 10 Earth Flats) The WF/PC-2 was used to monitor flatfield stability by obtaining 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 without incident. 1.12 Completed Eight 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. 1.13 Completed Two Sets of STIS/CCD/MA1/MA2 9114 (SINS: The Supernova Intensive Study-- Cycle 10) The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD, MA1 and MA2) was used to perform closer observations of supernovae that will create the chemical history of the Universe, energize the interstellar gas, stiffen the spine of the extragalactic distance scale and provide the only evidence for an accelerating universe. A violent encounter is underway between the fast-moving debris and the stationary inner ring. Monitoring this interaction will help solve the riddles of stellar evolution posed by the enigmatic three-ring system of SN 1987A. Our UV observations of Ly- Alpha emission reveal the present location and velocity of a remarkable reverse shock that provides a unique laboratory for studying fast shocks and a powerful tool for dissecting the structure of the vanished star. No problems were encountered. 1.14 Completed Ten 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. 1.15 Completed Two Sets of STIS/MA2 8920 (Cycle 10 MAMA Dark Measurements) The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (MA2) was used to perform the routine monitoring of the MAMA detector dark noise, and is the primary means of checking on health of the MAMA detectors systems through frequent monitoring of the background count rate. The proposal completed with no reported anomalous activity. 1.16 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. 1.17 Completed FGS/1 9240 (Astrometric Mass Determination of an Extrasolar Planet Candidate) Fine Guidance Sensor-1R was used to perform astrometric observations that will allow a quick measure of the sky-plane motion of 55 Cancri, a G star with an Msin{i} = 0.9 MJ radial velocity companion with a 14 day period. By using 7 pairs of visits, where each visit within a pair has the same parallax factor, we will be able to accurately determine the stars's proper motion. The reflex motion of the star, due to its orbit about the star-companion barycenter, will manifest itself as a systematic residual to the measured proper motion if the companion is sufficiently massive. There were no reported problems. 1.18 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. 1.19 Completed WF/PC-2 8591 (The Smallest Nuclear Black Holes) The WF/PC-2 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. 1.20 Completed Five 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. 1.21 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. The proposal completed with no reported problems. 1.22 Completed WF/PC-2/STIS/CCD 9267 (Supernova Search) The WF/PC-2 and the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) were used to search for high-redshift supernovae in GO-observed fields, taking advantage of good first-epoch observations and of the scheduling opportunities available because STIS is not currently observing. No anomalous activity was reported. 1.23 Completed STIS/CCD 9047 (The Densely Spotted Photospheres of Active Cool Stars) The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to observe rapidly rotating main-sequence stars that are so heavily mottled by star spots that rotational modulation of their light may amount to 0.1 magnitude or more. It is proposed to measure the packing fraction and size distribution of small star spots on the inner face of the G2/3V primary of the eclipsing binary SV Cam {= HD 44982}. There were no reported problems. 1.24 Completed STIS/CCD/MA2 9048 (Boron Constraints on Slow Mixing in Low Mass Stars) The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA2) was used to observe the atomic and nuclear characteristics of the light elements Li, Be and B, that make their photospheric abundances ideal tracers of internal physical processes in stars. Both Li and Be have been heavily utilized to this end since their diminished abundances are a direct result of the extent of internal slow mixing between surface and interior layers, as has been shown with ground-based data. Boron provides a fresh and special probe because it survives to greater depths inside stars than does Li or Be, and can thus uniquely reveal the depth of mixing. It is proposed to observe B in stars with very large depletions of Li and Be, i.e. stars which have been the most seriously affected by mixing. No problems occurred. 1.25 Completed WF/PC-2 9313 (Hubble Heritage Observations of NGC 6397) The WF/PC-2 was used to make observations of the globular cluster NGC 6397 to compliment archival data of this object. Previous WF/PC-2 data only imaged one half of the cluster. No anomalous activity was reported. 1.26 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. 1.27 Completed 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. 1.28 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. 1.29 Completed WF/PC-2 9149 (The Nature Of The Most Luminous Star- Forming Galaxies In The Redshift Range 0.4 To 1.5) The WF/PC-2 was used to perform additional ISO deep surveys that have previously uncovered a population of galaxies which are making stars at the fantastic rate of > 100 M_odotyr^-1 in the redshift range from 0.4 to 1.5. However this population evolves rapidly and luminous star-forming galaxies are 5 to 10 times more numerous at z=1 than today. Combination of ISO data with radio {VLA}, sub-mm {SCUBA} and optical data shows that they contribute a major fraction {30-50$ representing only a few percent of the field galaxy population. HST imaging of a small subsample of these galaxies indicates that most of them are disks showing disrupted morphologies or possessing companions, emphasizing the role of merging in their star formation history. The proposal completed without incident. 2.0 FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUMMARY: 2.1 Guide Star Acquisitions: Scheduled Acquisitions: 29 Successful: 29 Scheduled Re-acquisitions: 20 Successful: 20 2.2 FHST Updates: Scheduled: 64 Successful: 64 2.3 Operations Notes: Using ROP SR-1A, the SSR EDAC error counter was cleared six times. The SSR-3 pointer was set at 306/2130Z per ROP SR-3. As directed by ROP DF-18A, the engineering status buffer limits were adjusted at 307/1243Z. There was a STIS EMC re-try at 308/114545Z. Accordingly, using ROP NS-12, the STIS flight software error counter was reset at 308/1150Z. 3.0 SIGNIFICANT FORTHCOMING EVENTS: Continuation of normal science observations and calibrations. /CAW