HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE

       DAILY REPORT #3022

PERIOD COVERED:  0000Z (UTC) 12/19/01 - 0000Z (UTC) 12/20/01

Daily Status Report as of 354/0000Z

1.0 OBSERVATIONS SCHEDULED AND ACCOMPLISHED:

    1.1 Completed STIS/CCD 8930 (Investigating The Effect Of The Optical 
Baffles On STIS CCD Imaging)

        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD) was used to 
characterize the optical baffles around the edge of the STIS detector that 
may affect some images.  This proposal will investigate the effect of the 
stars outside the STIS CCD detector on the STIS images.  The idea would be 
to image a bright star at various positions outside the field and check the 
contamination effects on the detector.  The proposal completed nominally.

    1.2 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.

    1.3 Completed Two Sets of WF/PC-2 9309 (Supernova Search)

        The WF/PC-2 was used to search for high-redshift supernovae in 
GO-observed fields, taking advantage of good first-epoch observations.  All 
observations completed nominally.

    1.4 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.

    1.5 Completed WF/PC-2 9134 (Giant H II Regions and the Connection with 
Starbursts and Diffuse Ionized Gas)

        The WF/PC-2 was used to study the connection between massive star 
formation regions, ionized supershells, and the diffuse ionized gas that 
pervades many star-forming galaxies.  The proposal completed with no 
reported problems.

    1.6 Completed Three Sets of WF/PC-2 8941 (Cycle 10 UV Earthflats)

        The WF/PC-2 was used to monitor flat field stability by obtaining 
sequences of earth streak flats to improve the quality of pipeline flat 
fields for the WFPC2 UV filter set.  The proposal had no problems.

    1.7 Completed STIS/CCD/MA1 8695 (The Nature and Distribution of O VI 
Absorbers in the Vicinity of Galaxies)

        The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (CCD and MA1) was used to 
study PG1259+593 with the E140M echelle mode to substantially improve the 
statistical base of observed O VI absorbers {including weak lines} for 
comparison with the cosmological models and to constrain the physical 
conditions and abundances in these systems and their relationships with 
galaxies.  With these observations we will {1} measure the number of O VI 
absorbers per unit redshift {dN/dz} with a limiting equivalent width of 
W_Lambda ~25 mAngstrom , {2} examine whether the O VI absorption arises in 
photoionized, collisionally ionized, or multiphase gas, {3} estimate the 
absorber metallicities, and {4} study the dependence of the absorber 
properties on the proximity of luminous galaxies.  The observations 
completed nominally.

    1.8 Completed 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.

    1.9 Completed WF/PC-2 8935 (Cycle 10 Standard Darks)

        The WF/PC-2 was used to obtain dark frames every week in order to 
provide data for the ongoing calibration of the CCD dark current rate, and 
to monitor and characterize the evolution of hot pixels.  Over an extended 
period these data will also provide a monitor of radiation damage to the 
CCDs.  The proposal completed with no reported problems.

    1.10 Completed WF/PC-2 9180 (Gamma-ray Burst Progenitors: Probing Their 
Environment)

        The WF/PC-2 was used to perform a target of opportunity observation 
of gamma ray burster (GRB), GRB-011121.   GRB astronomy is a field maturing 
at a phenomenal rate.  Three important new observational and theoretical 
discoveries, formulated over the last twelve months, allow the proposer to 
address new, and in many cases, more sophisticated questions than could 
have been posed previously.  These developments: the discovery of X-ray 
lines in GRB 991216; the observation that N_H as deduced from X-ray 
afterglow are one to two orders of magnitude larger than the dust 
extinction inferred from optical afterglow; and the growing realization 
that the afterglow emission may exhibit features of dust echoes, appear to 
offer unexpected and new diagnostics that will directly inform us about the 
progenitor, the circum-progenitor material and the immediate interstellar 
environs.  There were no reported problems.

    1.11 Completed Two Sets of 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.

2.0 FLIGHT OPERATIONS SUMMARY:

    2.1 Guide Star Acquisitions:
       Scheduled Acquisitions:  9
    Successful:  9

  Scheduled Re-acquisitions:  6
    Successful:  6

    2.2 FHST Updates:
    Scheduled: 18
    Successful: 18

    2.3 Operations Notes:

        Joint Integrated Simulation (JIS) #8 (EVA-5) was conducted 
yesterday from 9:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.

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

3.0 SIGNIFICANT FORTHCOMING EVENTS:

        JIS #7 (Two Short Deploys) will be performed today, starting at 
9:00 a.m. and continuing until approximately 8 p.m.

        Continuation of normal science observations and calibrations.

/CAW