5910(  0) - 07/18/95 18:35  - [  1]

    PROPOSAL FOR HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE OBSERVATIONS   ST ScI Use Only
                                                       ID:      5910
                                                       Version: **********
                                                       Check-in Date: **********

1.Proposal Title:
The Far-Field Hubble Constant
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2. Scientific Category   3. Proposal For  4. Cycle
Galaxies & Clusters         GO               5
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5. Investigators
                                                                                     Contact?
    PI: Tod R. Lauer                      National Optical Astronomy Observatories
   CoI: Edward A. Ajhar                   NOAO                                          N
   CoI: Jon A. Holtzman                   Lowell Observatory                            N
   CoI: Marc Postman                      STScI                                         N
   CoI: John L. Tonry                     MIT                                           N

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6. Abstract

We request deep, near-IR (F814W) WFPC2 images of five nearby Brightest Cluster
Galaxies (BCG) to calibrate the BCG Hubble diagram by the Surface Brightness
Fluctuation (SBF) method. Lauer & Postman (1992) show that the BCG Hubble diagram
measured out to 15,000 km s^-1 is highly linear. Calibration of the Hubble diagram
zeropoint by SBF will thus yield an accurate far-field measure of H_0 based on the
entire volume within 15,000 km s^-1, thus circumventing any strong biases caused by
local peculiar velocity fields. This method of reaching the far field is contrasted
with those using distance ratios between Virgo and Coma, or any other limited sample
of clusters. HST is required as the ground-based SBF method is limited to <3,000 km
s^-1. The high spatial resolution of HST allows precise measurement of the SBF
signal at large distances, and allows easy recognition of globular clusters,
background galaxies, and dust clouds in the BCG images that must be removed prior to
SBF detection. The proposing team developed the SBF method, the first BCG Hubble
diagram based on a full-sky, volume-limited BCG sample, played major roles in the
calibration of WFPC and WFPC2, and are conducting observations of local galaxies
that will validate the SBF zeropoint (through GTO programs). This work uses the SBF
method to tie both the Cepheid and Local Group giant-branch distances generated by
HST to the large scale Hubble flow, which is most accurately traced by BCGs.
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                                                5910(  0) - 07/18/95 18:35  - [  2]

  Observations Description
  ------------------------

     Experience with nearby bright galaxies shows that the apparent fluctuation
     magnitude for galaxies with mean color V -I=1.20 will be /line m_I = 31.5 at a
     distance of 3,000 km/s. Total integration times must be long enough so that a
     ``typical star'' of this luminosity contributes at least 5 photons. The need
     for this signal level has been established from extensive ground-based work ---
     the distance error target of 5\ quickly below this level. For the F814W filter
     and WFPC2, we calculate the exposure time to receive 5 photons from a typical
     star at distance D as  t = 6.00times10^3  sec\; (D/3000, km/s)^2 10^1.6(V-I)-
     1.20. The list of BCGs and total integration times are: The individual
     exposures will be CR-split. We will request offsets of a few WFC-pixels between
     the exposures to improve rejection of any residual hot pixels, as well as to
     improve flat-fielding and rejection of any additional CCD defects. Given the
     large number of exposures, we expect to obtain excellent rejection of both hot
     pixels and CR events.  We emphasize, in any case, that the SBF method works by
     measuring the amplitude of the PSF power-spectrum, which can be cleanly
     separated from noise introduced by any low-level deviant pixels or CR events
     that remain. The sample of 5 galaxies is required to 1) reduce the total formal
     error below the nominal 5\ provide cross-checks between individual BCG, and 3)
     to reduce vulnerability of the calibration to choice of the fundamental rest
     frame of the universe. We selected the specific galaxies so that their  average
     position in the Hubble diagram is insensitive to a number of plausible choices
     for the rest frame. We emphasize the strengths of our team for conducting this
     program. All five investigators are highly experienced with the reduction and
     analysis of CCD images. Tonry defined the SBF method, and with Ajhar, applied
     it to an extensive sample of nearby galaxies. The SBF formalism includes full
     treatment of both astronomical and detector sources of variance that must be
     accounted for before isolating the SBF signal itself. Lauer and Postman
     developed the BCG Hubble diagram that will be calibrated by the SBF method.
     Lauer, Postman, and Tonry have all worked on large scale velocity flows.
     Holtzman, as a member of the WFPC2 and WFPC1 teams, has been the lead for
     producing the WFPC2 calibration products, and has developed algorithms for
     rejection of CR events and hot pixels specific to the WFPC2 detectors. Lauer,
     as a member of the WFPC1 team, was one of the leads for the calibration of that
     instrument, and with Holtzman is an experienced HST researcher.

  Real Time Justification
  -----------------------

     None No coordinated or supporting observations with other facilities are
     required. Ground-based B and R images of all targets have already been obtained
     by Lauer & Postman at KPNO and CTIO. Tonry & Ajhar have defined the SBF method
     and investigated its systematic properties from an extensive set of ground-
     based images at KPNO, CTIO, and MDM.

  Calibration Justification
  -------------------------


  Additional Comments
  -------------------

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                                                5910(  0) - 07/18/95 18:35  - [  3]

  Data Distribution

  Media:           8MM
  Blocking Factor: 10
  Ship To:         PI_Address
  Ship Via:        UPS
  Email:                                                              ,
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                                                5910(  0) - 07/18/95 18:35  - [  4]

TARGET LIST    a) Fixed Targets
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Tar|   Target   |         Target        |            Target              |Coord   | Radial |             Flux data
No |    Name    |       Description     |           Position             |Eqnx    |  Vel.  |
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1   ABELL0262-M1 GALAXY, Elliptical, BCM RA  =  01H 52M 46.28S +/- 0.07S, J2000    V   =    SURF(V) = 21.4 +/- 0.3
                                         DEC = +36D 09' 05.3" +/- 1"               4831
    Comments: Brightest Cluster Galaxy in Abell 0262

2   ABELL3560-M1 GALAXY, Elliptical, BCM RA  =  13H 31M 53.33S +/- 0.07S, J2000    V   =    SURF(V) = 21.4 +/- 0.3
                                         DEC = -33D 14' 04.4" +/- 1"               3644
    Comments: Brightest Cluster Galaxy in Abell 3560

3   ABELL3565-M1 GALAXY, Elliptical, BCM RA  =  13H 36M 39.06S +/- 0.07S, J2000    V   =    SURF(V) = 21.4 +/- 0.3
                                         DEC = -33D 57' 56.7" +/- 1"               3762
    Comments: Brightest Cluster Galaxy in Abell 3565

4   ABELL3742-M1 GALAXY, Elliptical, BCM RA  =  21H 07M 52.28S +/- 0.07S, J2000    V   =    SURF(V) = 21.4 +/- 0.3
                                         DEC = -47D 10' 43.4" +/- 1"               4764
    Comments: Brightest Cluster Galaxy in Abell 3742

                                                5910(  0) - 07/18/95 18:35  - [  5]

Visit: 01
     Visit Requirements:  <none>
     On Hold Comments:    <none>
     Additional Comments: <none>


Exposures
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Exposure|   Target  |Instr | Oper. | Aper  |Spectral|Central|   Optional    |Num|  Time |               Special
 Number |    Name   |Config| Mode  |or FOV |Element |Waveln.|  Parameters   |Exp|       |             Requirements
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
101      ABELL0262-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   900S    POS TARG 0.00, 0.00
         M1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
102      ABELL0262-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   1100S   POS TARG 0.8969, 0.0946
         M1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
103      ABELL0262-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   1100S   POS TARG 1.0010, 0.8908
         M1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
104      ABELL0262-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   1300S   POS TARG 0.1052,  0.9954
         M1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
105      ABELL0262-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   1100S   POS TARG -0.8903,  1.1006
         M1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
106      ABELL0262-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   1300S   POS TARG -0.9965, -0.0940
         M1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
107      ABELL0262-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   1100S   POS TARG -1.1006, -0.8903
         M1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
108      ABELL0262-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   1300S   POS TARG -0.1052, -0.9954
         M1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
109      ABELL0262-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   1100S   POS TARG 1.0895, -1.1017
         M1
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110      ABELL0262-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   1300S   POS TARG 1.8857, -1.2058
         M1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
111      ABELL0262-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   1100S   POS TARG 1.9931,  0.1881
         M1
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112      ABELL0262-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   1300S   POS TARG 2.0982,  1.1835
         M1
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113      ABELL0262-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   1100S   POS TARG 2.2017,  1.8801
         M1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
114      ABELL0262-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   1300S   POS TARG 1.2063,  1.9853
         M1
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                                                5910(  0) - 07/18/95 18:35  - [  6]

Visit: 02
     Visit Requirements:  <none>
     On Hold Comments:    <none>
     Additional Comments: <none>


Exposures
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Exposure|   Target  |Instr | Oper. | Aper  |Spectral|Central|   Optional    |Num|  Time |               Special
 Number |    Name   |Config| Mode  |or FOV |Element |Waveln.|  Parameters   |Exp|       |             Requirements
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
201      ABELL3560-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   900S    POS TARG 0.00, 0.00
         M1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
202      ABELL3560-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   1100S   POS TARG 0.8969, 0.0946
         M1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
203      ABELL3560-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   1100S   POS TARG 1.0010, 0.8908
         M1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
204      ABELL3560-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   1300S   POS TARG 0.1052,  0.9954
         M1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
205      ABELL3560-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   1100S   POS TARG -0.8903,  1.1006
         M1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
206      ABELL3560-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   1300S   POS TARG -0.9965, -0.0940
         M1
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207      ABELL3560-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   1100S   POS TARG -1.1006, -0.8903
         M1
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208      ABELL3560-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   1300S   POS TARG -0.1052, -0.9954
         M1
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                                                5910(  0) - 07/18/95 18:35  - [  7]

Visit: 03
     Visit Requirements:  <none>
     On Hold Comments:    <none>
     Additional Comments: <none>


Exposures
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Exposure|   Target  |Instr | Oper. | Aper  |Spectral|Central|   Optional    |Num|  Time |               Special
 Number |    Name   |Config| Mode  |or FOV |Element |Waveln.|  Parameters   |Exp|       |             Requirements
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
301      ABELL3565-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   900S    POS TARG 0.00, 0.00
         M1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
302      ABELL3565-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   1100S   POS TARG 0.8969, 0.0946
         M1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
303      ABELL3565-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   1100S   POS TARG 1.0010, 0.8908
         M1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
304      ABELL3565-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   1300S   POS TARG 0.1052,  0.9954
         M1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
305      ABELL3565-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   1100S   POS TARG -0.8903,  1.1006
         M1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
306      ABELL3565-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   1300S   POS TARG -0.9965, -0.0940
         M1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
307      ABELL3565-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   1100S   POS TARG -1.1006, -0.8903
         M1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
308      ABELL3565-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   1300S   POS TARG -0.1052, -0.9954
         M1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
309      ABELL3565-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   1100S   POS TARG 1.0895, -1.1017
         M1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
310      ABELL3565-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   1300S   POS TARG 1.8857, -1.2058
         M1
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                                                5910(  0) - 07/18/95 18:35  - [  8]

Visit: 04
     Visit Requirements:  <none>
     On Hold Comments:    <none>
     Additional Comments: <none>


Exposures
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exposure|   Target  |Instr | Oper. | Aper  |Spectral|Central|   Optional    |Num|  Time |               Special
 Number |    Name   |Config| Mode  |or FOV |Element |Waveln.|  Parameters   |Exp|       |             Requirements
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
401      ABELL3742-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   900S    POS TARG 0.00, 0.00
         M1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
402      ABELL3742-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   1200S   POS TARG 0.8969, 0.0946
         M1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
403      ABELL3742-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   1200S   POS TARG 1.0010, 0.8908
         M1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
404      ABELL3742-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   1200S   POS TARG 0.1052,  0.9954
         M1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
405      ABELL3742-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   1200S   POS TARG -0.8903,  1.1006
         M1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
406      ABELL3742-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   1200S   POS TARG -0.9965, -0.0940
         M1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
407      ABELL3742-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   1200S   POS TARG -1.1006, -0.8903
         M1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
408      ABELL3742-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   1200S   POS TARG -0.1052, -0.9954
         M1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
409      ABELL3742-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   1200S   POS TARG 1.0895, -1.1017
         M1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
410      ABELL3742-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   1200S   POS TARG 1.8857, -1.2058
         M1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
411      ABELL3742-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   1200S   POS TARG 1.9931,  0.1881
         M1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
412      ABELL3742-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   1200S   POS TARG 2.0982,  1.1835
         M1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
413      ABELL3742-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   1200S   POS TARG 2.2017,  1.8801
         M1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
414      ABELL3742-  WFPC2  IMAGE   PC1     F814W            CR-SPLIT=NO     1   1200S   POS TARG 1.2063,  1.9853
         M1
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                                                5910(  0) - 07/18/95 18:35  - [  9]

            Summary Form for Proposal  5910

  Item                         Used in this proposal
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  Configurations               WFPC2
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  Opmodes                      IMAGE
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  Optional Parameters          CR-SPLIT=NO
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  Proposal Category            GO
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  Scientific Category          Galaxies & Clusters
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  Special Requirements         POS TARG 0.00, 0.00 POS TARG 0.8969, 0.0946 POS TARG 1.0010, 0.8908 POS TARG 0.1052,  0.9954 POS
                               TARG -0.8903,  1.1006 POS TARG -0.9965, -0.0940 POS TARG -1.1006, -0.8903 POS TARG -0.1052, -0.9954
                               POS TARG 1.0895, -1.1017 POS TARG 1.8857, -1.2058 POS TARG 1.9931,  0.1881 POS TARG 2.0982,  1.1835
                               POS TARG 2.2017,  1.8801 POS TARG 1.2063,  1.9853
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  Spectral Elements            F814W
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  Target Names                 ABELL0262-M1 ABELL3560-M1 ABELL3565-M1 ABELL3742-M1
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