HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE

       DAILY REPORT #3014

PERIOD COVERED:  0000Z (UTC) 12/07/01 - 0000Z (UTC) 12/10/01

Daily Status Report as of 344/0000Z

1.0 OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED AND ACCOMPLISHED:

    1.1 Completed Seven 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.

    1.2 Completed Three 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 
proposal completed with no reported problems.

    1.3 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.

    1.4 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1/MA2 8916 (Spectroscopic Sensitivity Workout: 
First-order Modes)

        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD, MA1 and MA2) was 
used to measure the basic sensitivity for all supported MAMA and CCD 
first-order spectroscopic modes.  Sensitivity measurements are done for all 
supported tilts of the gratings, at a S/N suitable to any particular 
setting, in order to get all measurements done in a reasonable number of 
orbits but still get a very accurate sensitivity measurement.  There were 
no reported problems.

    1.5 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

    1.6 Completed STIS/CCD 9247 (The Faint Secondary to eps Eridani)

        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to detect a 
faint point source near eps Eriand determine whether this point source is a 
true secondary to eps Eri.  The proposal completed without incident.

    1.7 Completed 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.

    1.8 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.

    1.9 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.

    1.10 Completed STIS/CCD 9114 (SINS: The Supernova Intensive Study-- 
Cycle 10)

        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) 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.

    1.11 Completed STIS/CCD 7912 (STIS Parallel Archive Proposal - Nearby 
Galaxies - Imaging and Spectroscopy)

        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to make 
parallel observations of nearby galaxies.  This survey will be useful to 
study the star formation histories, chemical evolution, and distances to 
these galaxies.  The observations were completed as scheduled, and no 
problems were reported.

    1.12 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.

    1.13 Completed Three 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.

    1.14 Completed STIS/MA1 8920 (Cycle 10 MAMA Dark Measurements)

        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (MA1) 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.

    1.15 Completed Six Sets of STIS/CCD/MA2 9185 (UV Spectroscopic 
Investigation of any Bright, Newly Discovered Comet)

        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA2) was used to 
execute a target-of-opportunity program to investigate any bright comet 
that is newly discovered during Cycle 10, including comets of any dynamical 
class.  The main scientific objective is to obtain accurate abundance 
measurements for several key cometary species: CO from the CO 4PG bands, 
cotwo from the CO Cameron bands, stwo from the stwo B-X bands, cstwo from 
CS emissions, and water from OH emissions.  The UV Cameron band emission is 
currently the only way to probe cotwo in comets.  The high sensitivity and 
long-slit capability of STIS will allow characterization of the spatial 
distribution of the coma species, so that we can identify those derived 
from an extended source {e.g. CO}, study the decay of short-lived molecules 
{e.g. stwo and cstwo}, compare the dust and gas spatial distributions, and 
investigate the importance of e-impact on CO for the excitation of the 
Cameron bands {the latter for any comet having mboxV<=sssim5.  There were 
no reported anomalies.

    1.16 Completed Three Sets of 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.

    1.17 Completed Two Sets of 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.

    1.18 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1 8693 (Interstellar Boron & Oxygen 
Abundances in the Cep OB2 Association: Probing)

        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA1) was used to 
investigate a specific nuclear process associated with core-collapse 
supernovae that involves the inelastic scattering of neutrinos {produced as 
a result of the core collapse} off of abundant nuclei in the outer layers 
of the dying star.  Two relatively low-abundance elements, boron and 
fluorine, have been suggested to owe some uncertain fraction of their 
cosmic abundances to this process.  In the case of boron, the dominant 
isotope is ^11B, and neutrinos interacting with ^12C can lead to its 
synthesis.  Fluorine-19 is the only stable F isotope and it can be produced 
by neutrino scattering, removing a proton from ^20Ne.  Competing processes 
can also synthesyze these elements: cosmic-ray spallation reactions for B 
and shell He-burning in AGB stars for F.  In order to gauge the importance 
of neutrino nucleosynthesis in the chemical evolution of the Galaxy, we 
will determine interstellar B and O abundances in the gas associated with 
the Cep OB2 association {using the B II 1362Angstrom and O I 1356Angstrom 
lines}.  These results will be combined with observations of interstellar F 
I along the same lines-of-sight obtained with FUSE {fluorine can only be 
compared directly to boron using interstellar lines and interstellar F is 
only observable with FUSE}.  The derived F/O and F/B ratios in Cep OB2 will 
allow us to determine the relative importance of neutrino nucleosynthesis 
to the origins of B and F.  The proposal completed with no reported problems.

    1.19 Completed Six 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 STIS/CCD 9164 (Flows and Rotation in Protostellar Jets)

        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to study 
the velocity structure of protostellar jets transverse to the jet flow 
axis.  HST resolution would allow the search for rotation, e.g. a helical 
flow pattern, around the axis of an optical jet.  Such a detection would 
provide strong evidence that jets act as outflowing channels for angular 
momentum, thus allowing infalling material to fully accrete onto the 
protostar.  There were no problems.

    1.21 Completed STIS/CCD 9136 (T Tauri Star Coronagraphic Survey: A PMS 
Protoplanetary Disk Census)

      The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to observe 
pre-main sequence solar-mass stars, the T Tauri stars that Millimeter and 
IR studies suggest at least 50 percent have circumstellar disks similar to 
the disk from which our planetary system formed.  High spatial resolution, 
high dynamic range imaging of such systems will map the spatial 
distribution of material around the star, constraining the disk sizes and 
inclinations, and provide a first assessment of when structure in the disk, 
such as cleared central zones and annuli, which has been linked to planet 
formation, develops.  All observations completed without incident.

    1.22 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.

    1.23Completed STIS/CCD/MA1 9228 (Ultraviolet Spectroscopy of R Coronae 
Borealis Stars -- Broad Lines from an Accretion Disc?)

        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA1) was used to 
obtain spectra of three R Coronae Borealis {RCB} stars that will provide 
novel data on hot gas near these stars.  All observations completed with no 
reported problems.

    1.24 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.

    1.25 Completed Four 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.

    1.26 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.

2.0 FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUMMARY:

    2.1 Guide Star Acquisitions:
       Scheduled Acquisitions: 26
    Successful: 26

  Scheduled Re-acquisitions: 16
    Successful: 16

    2.2 FHST Updates:
    Scheduled: 63
    Successful: 63

    2.3 Operations Notes:

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

        The GenSlew utility was used five times for proposal 9185 (see 1.15).

        The engineering status buffer limit, HGA=5, was adjusted at 
341/2326Z per ROP DF-18A.

        A TTR was generated for a required re-transmit during a NSSC-1 load 
at 343/2048Z.  SI C&DH errors were reset at 343/2114Z, using ROP NS-5.

3.0 SIGNIFICANT FORTHCOMING EVENTS:

        Continuation of normal science observations and calibrations.

/CAW