! Proposal 5936, submission 1 ! PI: Dr. John Stocke ! Received Mon Mar 13 21:13:42 EST 1995 ! From: spenton@casa.Colorado.EDU ! Hubble Space Telescope Cycle 5 (1995) Phase II Proposal Template ! $Id: 5936,v 6.1 1996/04/24 15:20:45 pepsa Exp $ ! ! Refer to the HST Phase II Proposal Instructions to fill this out ! ! Anything after a "!" is ignored, and may be deleted ! ! All keywords with multiple entries are comma delimited except the ! Visit_Requirements and Special_Requirements keywords which can be ! delimited with carriage returns or semi-colons, but not commas ! ! For help call your Program Coordinator: Ray Lucas ! Phone: 410 338-4716 , E-mail: lucas@stsci.edu ! ! This partially completed template was generated from a Phase I proposal. ! Date generated: Sat Dec 17 10:52:31 EST 1994 ! Proposal_Information ! Section 4 Title: PROBING THE LYAlpha FOREST AT 0.5 < z < 1.6 USING FLARING QUASARS AND BL LACS Proposal_Category: GO Scientific_Category: Quasars Cycle: 5 Investigators PI_name: Dr. John Stocke PI_Institution: University of Colorado, Boulder CoI_Name: Mr. M. Harvanek CoI_Institution: University of Colorado, Boulder Contact: ! Y or N (designate at most one contact) CoI_Name: Mr. Steven Penton CoI_Institution: University of Colorado, Boulder Contact: ! Y or N (designate at most one contact) CoI_Name: Dr. Chris Blades CoI_Institution: STSCI Contact: ! Y or N (designate at most one contact) CoI_Name: Dr. Jack Burns CoI_Institution: New Mexico State University Contact: ! Y or N (designate at most one contact) CoI_Name: Dr. B. McNamara CoI_Institution: New Mexico State University Contact: ! Y or N (designate at most one contact) CoI_Name: Dr. William Neely CoI_Institution: NF/OBSERVATORY Contact: ! Y or N (designate at most one contact) Abstract: ! Free format text (please update) We propose spectroscopic observations of flaring quasars and BL Lacs with the FOS + high resolution gratings to study the line density and clustering of LyAlpha lines in the hitherto inaccessible redshift range 0.52 and the local LyAlpha clouds recently discovered by HST. If continuity can be established, then detailed observations of the "local" clouds can be applied to the high-z clouds as well. Current HST observations do not address the LyAlpha forest in this z range because high-z QSOs are generally not bright enough to obtain spectra at high enough SNR to detect sufficient LyAlpha absorptions to conduct a statistical study. The virtue of our 6 targets is that while they are generally quiescent at V=16-18, they occasionally flare to V < 15 for periods of several months making high SNR HST/FOS 1Angstrom resolution spectra (G190H and G270H) possible in a few ksecs. Past observations suggest that normal scheduling of these targets will be sufficient to observe them with HST in their flaring state. Each of these proposed targets is being intensively monitored using several small aperture ground-based telescopes with CCD detectors so that a flare can be detected and HST observations scheduled when the source is bright. bfThis is a continuation proposal for cycle 5 observing time previously approved for this work to provide a longer time baseline with which to observe flares in these sources. Questions ! Free format text (please update) Observing_Description: We will obtain high SNR spectra of bright BL Lacs and quasars when they flare to V < 15 for the purpose of detecting large numbers of LyAlpha only absorption clouds at 0.5 < z < 1.6. FOS spectra will be obtained through the 0.3 arcsec circular aperture using gratings G190H and G270H. LyAlpha only and Ly Alpha + metal absorption lines will be identified in a manner similar to that described in Schneider et al (1992). At an observed equivalent width limit of ~ 100 mAngstrom (and thus a rest equivalent width limit of ~ 75 mAngstrom since the G270H will give slightly lower observed limits) we expect a LyAlpha line density of 40-80 per unit redshift in each of our objects observed (Bahcall et al, 1992; Hunstead 1988) so that a minimum of 2-3 objects will need to be observed before good statistics on line densities can be determined. Given the flaring history of these objects, we expect to observe 2- 3 of them during the two year period requested for this project. If successful, we will re-propose in a subsequent cycle to observe more flaring targets of this type. The exposure times listed for each of these targets assumes an optical magnitude of V = 15 (excepting PKS 0735+178 for which V = 14.5 is assumed) and a normal quasar spectrum (i.e. nearly a power law with spectral index of -0.5 or a (B- V)=+0.3). Using the standard DQE data from the FOS handbook checked by scaling to the results obtained by the Key Project team (Bahcall et al, 1992; Schneider et al, 1992), we have estimated the exposure times necessary to obtain 4.5 sigma observed equivalent width limit of 100 mAngstrom at 1800Angstrom and 150 mAngstrom at 3200Angstrom; this yields rest frame equivalent width limits of ~ 75 mAngstrom across the entire spectral range observed. These exposure times are 3000 and 6000 secs for the G270H and G190H gratings through the 0.3 circular arcsec aperture respectively. These are "worst case" numbers in that if our photometric monitoring show the source to be brighter than 15th, the equivalent width limits will be lower. Exceptions to this general rule are noted below: 1. PKS 0215+015: This source will not be observed with the G190H because there is a Ly limit system at 2400Angstrom observed by the IUE. 2. PKS 0735+178: This source will also be observed with the G130H grating if it flares to V < 14.5 due to the high interest in its Ly limit system at z = 0.424. This is the BL Lac in our sample which flares to the brightest apparent magnitude and can in principle yield the highest quality LyAlpha forest information of any extragalactic source excepting 3C273 and PKS 2155-304, both of which have already been oberved with HST and both of which are at substantially lower redshifts. The G130H exposure is timed to yield ~ 150 mAngstrom rest equivalent width limits at wavelengths longer than 1300Angstrom where the strong Ly limit system occurs. By assuming V = 14.0 the G130H exposure time is 7200 secs. Real_Time_Justification: bfTIME-CRITICAL vspace10pt In order for these observations to be successful, the FOS spectra should be obtained ~ 1 month after STScI is notified that we have detected a flare. This requested response time is based upon the historical flaring activity of these sources (e.g. Pollock et al, 1988). Since we will continue to monitor these sources intensely with groundbased telescopes once a flare has commenced, a slightly longer leadtime can be tolerated if the source persists in its bright state. Because weeks rather than days of response time is required for success of these observations, this is NOT a target of opportunity proposal -- normal scheduling can accommodate to the flaring timescales of these quasars and BL Lacs to ensure a successful observation. Based upon the historical flaring history of these sources, we expect to actually observe 2-3 of our 6 targets in the two year time fame of this proposal. The necessity for ground-based support in this HST proposal is obvious; our photometric monitoring is essential to the success of this proposal. Due to its essential nature we have requested an amount of funding each year (~ \30,000) in "preparatory" funds to support this continuing effort. The ground-based monitoring also supports the approved cycle 1 HST target of opportunity observations proposed by Blades et al (P2638; "The near-UV spectrum of 0215+015"). This proposal is not overlapping with P2638 because those observations involve GHRS spectra of two very strong Ly$Alpha absoprtion systems discovered by Blades et al (1985) in the IUE LWP spectrum of 0215+015 the last time it flared. Ground-based 1Angstrom resolution spectra will be obtained when the source is flaring to supplement the HST/FOS observations. These spectra are required to identify the metal line systems detected by LyAlpha in the UV. Calibration_Justification: ! Move appropriate text from Real_Time_Justification Additional_Comments: Fixed_Targets ! Section 5.1 Target_Number: 1 Target_Name: PKS0215+015 Alternate_Names: Description: GALAXY,BL LAC Position: RA = 2H 17M 48.945S +/- 0.1S, DEC = +1D 44' 49.58" +/- 0.33", PLATE-ID=04YG Equinox: 2000.0 RV_or_Z: Z=1.75 RA_PM: ! Units are seconds of time per year Dec_PM: ! Units are seconds of arc per year Epoch: Annual_Parallax: Flux: V=15.0, B-V=0.3 ! Include at least V and B-V Comments: Target_Number: 2 Target_Name: 0735+178 Alternate_Names: Description: GALAXY,BL LAC Position: RA = 7H 38M 07.37S +/- 0.1S, DEC = +17D 42' 18.7" +/- 0.33", PLATE-ID=01LS Equinox: 2000.0 RV_or_Z: Z=0.42 RA_PM: ! Units are seconds of time per year Dec_PM: ! Units are seconds of arc per year Epoch: Annual_Parallax: Flux: V=14.5, B-V=0.3 ! Include at least V and B-V Comments: Target_Number: 3 Target_Name: 0846+513 Alternate_Names: Description: GALAXY,BL LAC Position: RA=8H 49M 58.03S +/- 0.1S, DEC=+51D 8' 29.0" +/- 0.5", PLATE-ID=021E Equinox: 2000.0 RV_or_Z: Z=1.86 RA_PM: ! Units are seconds of time per year Dec_PM: ! Units are seconds of arc per year Epoch: Annual_Parallax: Flux: V=15.0, B-V=0.3 ! Include at least V and B-V Comments: OBSERVE ALSO WITH FOS/BL Target_Number: 4 Target_Name: B21308+326 Alternate_Names: Description: GALAXY,BL LAC Position: RA=13H 10M 28.683S +/- 0.1S, DEC=+32D 20' 43.35" +/- 0.33", PLATE-ID=01PR Equinox: 2000.0 RV_or_Z: Z=2.09 RA_PM: ! Units are seconds of time per year Dec_PM: ! Units are seconds of arc per year Epoch: Annual_Parallax: Flux: V=15.0, B-V=0.3 ! Include at least V and B-V Comments: Target_Number: 5 Target_Name: 3C446 Alternate_Names: Description: GALAXY,BL LAC Position: RA=22H 25M 47.031S +/- 0.1S, DEC=-4D 57' 1.4" +/- 0.5", PLATE-ID=02O6 Equinox: 2000.0 RV_or_Z: Z=1.40 RA_PM: ! Units are seconds of time per year Dec_PM: ! Units are seconds of arc per year Epoch: Annual_Parallax: Flux: V=15.0, B-V=0.3 ! Include at least V and B-V Comments: Target_Number: 6 Target_Name: 3C279 Alternate_Names: Description: GALAXY,BL LAC Position: RA=12H 56M 11.15S +/- 0.1S, DEC=-05D 47' 21.7" +/- 0.5", PLATE-ID=024R Equinox: 2000.0 RV_or_Z: Z=0.538 RA_PM: ! Units are seconds of time per year Dec_PM: ! Units are seconds of arc per year Epoch: Annual_Parallax: Flux: V=15.0, B-V=0.3 ! Include at least V and B-V Comments: ! This is a template for a single visit containing a single exposure ! Repeat exposure and visit blocks as needed Visits ! Section 6 Visit_Number: 1 Visit_Requirements: ON HOLD ! Section 7.1 On_Hold_Comments: Waiting for flare Visit_Comments: Exposure_Number: 1 ! Section 6.5 Target_Name: 0735+178 Config: FOS/RD Opmode: ACQ/BINARY Aperture: 4.3 Sp_Element: MIRROR Wavelength: Optional_Parameters: Number_of_Iterations: 1 Time_Per_Exposure: 1.77S ! 0.9464S=1.5*10^(0.4*(14.5-15.0)) originally Special_Requirements: ! Section 7.2 ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR 2 Exposure_Number: 2 ! Section 6.5 Target_Name: 0735+178 Config: FOS/RD Opmode: ACQ/PEAK Aperture: 0.3 Sp_Element: MIRROR Wavelength: Optional_Parameters: SCAN-STEP-X=0.172,SCAN-STEP-Y=0.172,SEARCH-SIZE-X=5,SEARCH-SIZE-Y=5 Number_of_Iterations: 1 Time_Per_Exposure: 0.2S ! 0.25000 S = 0.2 * 1.25 S originally Special_Requirements: ! Section 7.2 ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR 3-5 Exposure_Number: 3 ! Section 6.5 Target_Name: 0735+178 Config: FOS/RD Opmode: ACCUM Aperture: 0.3 Sp_Element: G190H Wavelength: 1900 Optional_Parameters: Number_of_Iterations: 1 Time_Per_Exposure: 1598S ! WAS 1980S Special_Requirements: ! Section 7.2 Exposure_Number: 4 ! Section 6.5 Target_Name: 0735+178 Config: FOS/RD Opmode: ACCUM Aperture: 0.3 Sp_Element: G270H Wavelength: 2230-3200 Optional_Parameters: Number_of_Iterations: 1 Time_Per_Exposure: 1003S ! was 1020 Special_Requirements: ! Section 7.2 Exposure_Number: 5 ! Section 6.5 Target_Name: 0735+178 Config: FOS/BL Opmode: ACQ/PEAK Aperture: 0.3 Sp_Element: MIRROR Wavelength: Optional_Parameters: SCAN-STEP-X=0.172,SCAN-STEP-Y=0.172,SEARCH-SIZE-X=5,SEARCH-SIZE-Y=5 Number_of_Iterations: 1 Time_Per_Exposure: 0.50S ! 0.375 S originally Special_Requirements: ! Section 7.2 ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR 6 Exposure_Number: 6 ! Section 6.5 Target_Name: 0735+178 Config: FOS/BL Opmode: ACCUM Aperture: 0.3 Sp_Element: G130H Wavelength: 1150-1600 Optional_Parameters: Number_of_Iterations: 1 Time_Per_Exposure: 3490S Special_Requirements: END ORBIT ! Section 7.2 Visit_Number: 2 Visit_Requirements: ON HOLD ! Section 7.1 On_Hold_Comments: Waiting for flare Visit_Comments: Exposure_Number: 7 ! Section 6.5 Target_Name: 3C446 Config: FOS/RD Opmode: ACQ/BINARY Aperture: 4.3 Sp_Element: MIRROR Wavelength: Optional_Parameters: Number_of_Iterations: 1 Time_Per_Exposure: 2.8S ! 1.5S originally Special_Requirements: ! Section 7.2 ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR 8 Exposure_Number: 8 ! Section 6.5 Target_Name: 3C446 Config: FOS/RD Opmode: ACQ/PEAK Aperture: 0.3 Sp_Element: MIRROR Wavelength: Optional_Parameters: SCAN-STEP-X=0.172,SCAN-STEP-Y=0.172,SEARCH-SIZE-X=5,SEARCH-SIZE-Y=5 Number_of_Iterations: 1 Time_Per_Exposure: 0.2S ! 0.250 S originally Special_Requirements: ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR 9-10 Exposure_Number: 9 ! Section 6.5 Target_Name: 3C446 Config: FOS/RD Opmode: ACCUM Aperture: 0.3 Sp_Element: G190H Wavelength: 1900 Optional_Parameters: Number_of_Iterations: 1 Time_Per_Exposure: 2896S Special_Requirements: ! Section 7.2 Exposure_Number: 10 ! Section 6.5 Target_Name: 3C446 Config: FOS/RD Opmode: ACCUM Aperture: 0.3 Sp_Element: G270H Wavelength: 2230-3200 Optional_Parameters: Number_of_Iterations: 1 Time_Per_Exposure: 2270S Special_Requirements: ! Section 7.2 ! Visit_Number: 3 Visit_Requirements: ON HOLD ! Section 7.1 On_Hold_Comments: Waiting for flare Visit_Comments: Exposure_Number: 11 ! Section 6.5 Target_Name: PKS0215+015 Config: FOS/RD Opmode: ACQ/BINARY Aperture: 4.3 Sp_Element: MIRROR Wavelength: Optional_Parameters: Number_of_Iterations: 1 Time_Per_Exposure: 2.8S ! 1.5S originally Special_Requirements: ! Section 7.2 ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR 12 Exposure_Number: 12 ! Section 6.5 Target_Name: PKS0215+015 Config: FOS/RD Opmode: ACQ/PEAK Aperture: 0.3 Sp_Element: MIRROR Wavelength: Optional_Parameters: SCAN-STEP-X=0.172,SCAN-STEP-Y=0.172,SEARCH-SIZE-X=5,SEARCH-SIZE-Y=5 Number_of_Iterations: 1 Time_Per_Exposure: 0.2S ! 0.25S originally Special_Requirements: ! Section 7.2 ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR 13 Exposure_Number: 13 ! Section 6.5 Target_Name: PKS0215+015 Config: FOS/RD Opmode: ACCUM Aperture: 0.3 Sp_Element: G270H Wavelength: 2230-3200 Optional_Parameters: Number_of_Iterations: 1 Time_Per_Exposure: 5275S Special_Requirements: END ORBIT ! Section 7.2 Visit_Number: 4 Visit_Requirements: ON HOLD ! Section 7.1 On_Hold_Comments: Waiting for flare Visit_Comments: Exposure_Number: 14 ! Section 6.5 Target_Name: 0846+513 Config: FOS/RD Opmode: ACQ/BINARY Aperture: 4.3 Sp_Element: MIRROR Wavelength: Optional_Parameters: Number_of_Iterations: 1 Time_Per_Exposure: 2.8S ! 1.5S originally Special_Requirements: ! Section 7.2 ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR 15 Exposure_Number: 15 ! Section 6.5 Target_Name: 0846+513 Config: FOS/RD Opmode: ACQ/PEAK Aperture: 0.3 Sp_Element: MIRROR Wavelength: Optional_Parameters: SCAN-STEP-X=0.172,SCAN-STEP-Y=0.172,SEARCH-SIZE-X=5,SEARCH-SIZE-Y=5 Number_of_Iterations: 1 Time_Per_Exposure: 0.2S ! 0.25S originally Special_Requirements: ! Section 7.2 ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR 16-17 Exposure_Number: 16 ! Section 6.5 Target_Name: 0846+513 Config: FOS/RD Opmode: ACCUM Aperture: 0.3 Sp_Element: G190H Wavelength: 1900 Optional_Parameters: Number_of_Iterations: 1 Time_Per_Exposure: 3276S Special_Requirements: ! Section 7.2 Exposure_Number: 17 ! Section 6.5 Target_Name: 0846+513 Config: FOS/RD Opmode: ACCUM Aperture: 0.3 Sp_Element: G270H Wavelength: 2230-3200 Optional_Parameters: Number_of_Iterations: 1 Time_Per_Exposure: 2460S Special_Requirements: END ORBIT ! Section 7.2 Visit_Number: 5 Visit_Requirements: ON HOLD ! Section 7.1 On_Hold_Comments: Waiting for flare Visit_Comments: Exposure_Number: 18 ! Section 6.5 Target_Name: B21308+326 Config: FOS/RD Opmode: ACQ/BINARY Aperture: 4.3 Sp_Element: MIRROR Wavelength: Optional_Parameters: Number_of_Iterations: 1 Time_Per_Exposure: 2.8S ! 1.5S originally Special_Requirements: ! Section 7.2 ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR 19 Exposure_Number: 19 ! Section 6.5 Target_Name: B21308+326 Config: FOS/RD Opmode: ACQ/PEAK Aperture: 0.3 Sp_Element: MIRROR Wavelength: Optional_Parameters: SCAN-STEP-X=0.172,SCAN-STEP-Y=0.172,SEARCH-SIZE-X=5,SEARCH-SIZE-Y=5 Number_of_Iterations: 1 Time_Per_Exposure: 0.2S ! 0.25S originally Special_Requirements: ! Section 7.2 ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR 20-21 Exposure_Number: 20 ! Section 6.5 Target_Name: B21308+326 Config: FOS/RD Opmode: ACCUM Aperture: 0.3 Sp_Element: G190H Wavelength: 1900 Optional_Parameters: Number_of_Iterations: 1 Time_Per_Exposure: 3700S ! 3520S Special_Requirements: ! Section 7.2 Exposure_Number: 21 ! Section 6.5 Target_Name: B21308+326 Config: FOS/RD Opmode: ACCUM Aperture: 0.3 Sp_Element: G270H Wavelength: 2230-3200 Optional_Parameters: Number_of_Iterations: 1 Time_Per_Exposure: 2284S Special_Requirements: END ORBIT ! Section 7.2 Visit_Number: 6 Visit_Requirements: ! On_Hold_Comments: Waiting for flare Visit_Comments: Exposure_Number: 22 ! Section 6.5 Target_Name: 3C279 Config: FOS/BL Opmode: ACQ/BINARY Aperture: 4.3 Sp_Element: MIRROR Wavelength: Optional_Parameters: Number_of_Iterations: 1 Time_Per_Exposure: 20.0S ! 4.2S originally Special_Requirements: ! Section 7.2 ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR 23 Exposure_Number: 23 ! Section 6.5 Target_Name: 3C279 Config: FOS/BL Opmode: ACQ/PEAK Aperture: 0.3 Sp_Element: MIRROR Wavelength: Optional_Parameters: SCAN-STEP-X=0.172,SCAN-STEP-Y=0.172,SEARCH-SIZE-X=5,SEARCH-SIZE-Y=5 Number_of_Iterations: 1 Time_Per_Exposure: 0.8S ! 0.375S originally Special_Requirements: ! Section 7.2 ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR 24 Exposure_Number: 24 ! Section 6.5 Target_Name: 3C279 Config: FOS/BL Opmode: ACCUM Aperture: 0.3 Sp_Element: G130H Wavelength: 1150-1600 Optional_Parameters: Number_of_Iterations: 1 Time_Per_Exposure: 3150S ! was 2844S Special_Requirements: ! Section 7.2 Exposure_Number: 25 ! Section 6.5 Target_Name: 3C279 Config: FOS/BL Opmode: ACCUM Aperture: 0.3 Sp_Element: G190H Wavelength: 1900 Optional_Parameters: Number_of_Iterations: 1 Time_Per_Exposure: 2350S ! was 2290S Special_Requirements: END ORBIT ! Section 7.2 Comments: Data_Distribution ! Defaults indicated; change if desired Medium: 8MM ! 8MM or 6250BPI or 1600BPI Blocking_Factor: 10 ! 10 or 1 ! Only astronomers with very old 9- ! track tape drives should consider ! a blocking factor of 1 Ship_To: PI_Address ! STSCI or PI_Address or ! PI Address from Phase I is: ! ! CASA--Campus Box 389,Boulder, ! CO 80309-0389 ! ! Ship_Via: UPS ! UPS (2-day) or OVERNIGHT ! Overnight shipping done at PI expense Recipient_Email: ! Needed if Ship_To: is not PI_Address ! ! Let us know what you think of this template and software! ! Please send a list of your likes and dislikes to your Program Coordinator