5941( 9) - 10/19/95 17:20 - [ 1] PROPOSAL FOR HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE OBSERVATIONS ST ScI Use Only ID: 5941 Version: 9 Check-in Date: ********** 1.Proposal Title: Secular Changes in the Jet of M87 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2. Scientific Category 3. Proposal For 4. Cycle AGN GO 5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5. Investigators Contact? PI: John Biretta Space Telescope Science Institute CoI: William Sparks Space Telescope Science Institute N CoI: Duccio Macchetto Space Telescope Science Institute N ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6. Abstract As part of our ongoing investigation of the M87 jet, we have obtained unprecedented high resolution images of the jet using the FOC. These data show structures with a FWHM as small as 0.03", and provide a unique opportunity to study proper motions and structural changes of the jet. We will compare Cycle 5 FOC and WFPC2 images with Cycle 4 observations to search for secular changes and motions in the jet and nucleus. Typical speeds found with VLA observations range from 0.5c to 3c, well within current HST measurement capabilities. Since the optical emission is more concentrated near the jet axis than the radio emission, the optical data will give velocity information on a different physical volume closer to the jet axis, and show whether there are strong velocity gradients across and within the jet. Secular changes in luminosity and polarization are also likely as the knots move, which will provide information on the evolution of the electron energy distribution and magnetic fields. For the first time, we propose to make polarization measurements and determine the magnetic field structure within the first few pc of the jet near the ``central engine.'' We propose to repeat this sequence of observations as the foundation of an annual monitoring program, and hence request time for Cycles 6 and 7. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5941( 9) - 10/19/95 17:20 - [ 2] Observations Description ------------------------ FOC: Images of the jet using 3 pointings (nucleus + knots D&E; knots E,F,I; and knots I,A,B,C) in the 512x512 format with the F342W filter. At the bright nucleus exposures are also made utilizing F2ND and F4ND. Polarization sensitive images (+POL0, +POL60, +POL120) will be taken for the nucleus and knot A regions. The ``face-on" COSTAR reflections do not significantly hinder polarization measurements, especially if polarization levels are as high as here, tens of percent. RESEAU images are taken to allow correction of time- variable distortion, since accurate relative astrometry is extremely important. WFPC2: Images of the nucleus and jet with the PC through F814W filter. Images are obtained at six different POS TARGs to aid in removal of CCD artifacts, and to allow sub-pixel image restoration. The proper motions measured by the VLA would easily be detected by the F342W FOC observations. For example, VLA results for a bright feature in knot D, which is 3" from the nucleus, show speeds up to 3c or 0.012" per year. The F342W image would contain about 10000 counts in this region which has a scale size 0.1". From signal-to-noise considerations a velocity accuracy of about (0.1")SQRT(2)/SQRT(10000)/3 = 0.0015" per year would be obtained between just the Cycle 4 and 5 observations, giving a velocity accuracy of ~0.3c for this feature in just one year. For Knot A the velocity accuracy would be about ten times better, due to larger total counts while the sharp ``edge" of knot A has a similar thickness ~0.1", and even finer internal structures. Alignment of images from different epochs will be aided by stars and globular clusters which are readily visible in the Cycle 4 FOC images (in contrast to the pre-COSTAR images where these features are invisible). The F814W WFPC2 observations will give spectral information and provide an independent motion measurement. Systematic uncertainties due to distortion will be largely eliminated by placing the jet on the same detector area for all epochs. We propose to extend these observations to future cycles in order to provide a longer time baseline for velocity measurements, and to monitor future brightness changes in the jet. The essence of our proposal is monitoring. We have chosen a subset of the Cycle 4 program which gives optimal SNR for a given exposure time, in the blue with the FOC, and in the far-red with WFPC2, and uses the most straightforward imaging polarimetry. Therefore we propose to repeat this identical sequence in each of Cycles 6 and 7. Real Time Justification ----------------------- Interactive acquisitions and real-time uplinks are requested for the FOC observations, since the nominal pointing accuracy (2 arcsec.) is a large fraction of the FOC field-of-view (7 x 7 arcsec.). The jet is 20 arcseconds long, so that three accurately placed FOC fields will be needed to image the entire target. It would be advantageous if the FOC observations were scheduled close to our M87 ROSAT/HRI observations in July 1995 (80ksec awarded). Our HST Cycle 4 scheduling experience and ROSAT pointing constraints suggest this should be easy to accommodate. Calibration Justification ------------------------- Additional Comments ------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5941( 9) - 10/19/95 17:20 - [ 3] Data Distribution Media: 8MM Blocking Factor: 10 Ship To: PI_Address Ship Via: UPS Email: , ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5941( 9) - 10/19/95 17:20 - [ 4] TARGET LIST a) Fixed Targets ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tar| Target | Target | Target |Coord | Radial | Flux data No | Name | Description | Position |Eqnx | Vel. | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 M87-JET-POS1 GALAXY, RADIO GALAXY, RA = 12H 28M 17.503S +/- 0.01S, 1950 Z = V=16.7 NUCLEUS, JET DEC = 12D 40' 02.44" +/- 0.1", 0.0043 PLATE-ID=00IY Comments: NUCLEUS+D+E 2 M87-JET-POS2 GALAXY, RADIO GALAXY, RA = 12H 28M 17.077S +/- 0.1S, 1950 Z = V=16.7 JET DEC = 12D 40' 04.68" +/- 0.1", 0.0043 PLATE-ID=00IY Comments: E+F+I 3 M87-JET-POS3 GALAXY, RADIO GALAXY, RA = 12H 28M 16.593S +/- 0.1S, 1950 Z = V=16.7 JET DEC = 12D 40' 07.09" +/- 0.1", 0.0043 PLATE-ID=00IY Comments: I+A+B+C 4 M87-NUC GALAXY, RADIO GALAXY, RA = 12H 28M 17.57S +/- 0.01S, 1950 Z = V=16.7 NUCLEUS, JET DEC = 12D 40' 01.749" +/- 0.01", 0.0043 PLATE-ID=00IY 5941( 9) - 10/19/95 17:20 - [ 5] Visit: 01 Visit Requirements: PCS MODE Fine ORIENTation 95D TO 115D BETWEEN 1-MAY-1995 AND 30-AUG-1995 GROUP 1-3 WITHIN 30D On Hold Comments: Additional Comments: FOC M87-JET-POS1; THIS VISIT REQUIRES 6 ORBITS WHEN INTERNAL EXPOSURES ARE PROPERLY SCHEDULED DURING OCCULTATIONS Exposures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Exposure| Target |Instr | Oper. | Aper |Spectral|Central| Optional |Num| Time | Special Number | Name |Config| Mode |or FOV |Element |Waveln.| Parameters |Exp| | Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 109 INTFLAT FOC/96 RESEAU 512X512 CLEAR 1 DEF ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 110 M87-JET- FOC/96 IMAGE 512X512 F342W 1 960S INT ACQ FOR 120-169; POS1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 119 INTFLAT FOC/96 RESEAU 512X512 CLEAR 1 DEF SEQ 110,119 NON-INT Comments: INTERNAL EXPOSURE DURING OCCULTATION IMMEDIATELY AFTER 110 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 120 M87-JET- FOC/96 IMAGE 512X512 F342W,F4N 1 960S EXPAND; MAX DUR 300% POS1 D ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 129 INTFLAT FOC/96 RESEAU 512X512 CLEAR 1 DEF SEQ 120,129 NON-INT; END ORBIT Comments: INTERNAL EXPOSURE DURING OCCULTATION IMMEDIATELY AFTER 120 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 130 M87-JET- FOC/96 IMAGE 512X512 F342W,F2N 1 1200S SAME POS AS 120 POS1 D ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 131 M87-JET- FOC/96 IMAGE 512X512 F342W,F2N 1 1200S EXPAND; MIN DUR 80%; MAX DUR 200% SAME POS POS1 D AS 120 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 139 INTFLAT FOC/96 RESEAU 512X512 CLEAR 1 DEF SEQ 131,139 NON-INT; END ORBIT Comments: INTERNAL EXPOSURE DURING OCCULTATION IMMEDIATELY AFTER 131 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 150 M87-JET- FOC/96 IMAGE 512X512 F342W 1 1200S SAME POS AS 120 POS1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 151 M87-JET- FOC/96 IMAGE 512X512 F342W 1 1200S EXPAND; MIN DUR 80%; MAX DUR 150% SAME POS POS1 AS 120 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 159 INTFLAT FOC/96 RESEAU 512X512 CLEAR 1 DEF SEQ 151,159 NON-INT; END ORBIT Comments: INTERNAL EXPOSURE DURING OCCULTATION IMMEDIATELY AFTER 151 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 160 M87-JET- FOC/96 IMAGE 512X512 F342W,POL 1 1620S SAME POS AS 120 POS1 0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 161 M87-JET- FOC/96 IMAGE 512X512 F342W,POL 1 1620S SAME POS AS 120 POS1 60 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 162 M87-JET- FOC/96 IMAGE 512X512 F342W,POL 1 1620S SAME POS AS 120 POS1 120 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5941( 9) - 10/19/95 17:20 - [ 6] Exposures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Exposure| Target |Instr | Oper. | Aper |Spectral|Central| Optional |Num| Time | Special Number | Name |Config| Mode |or FOV |Element |Waveln.| Parameters |Exp| | Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 169 INTFLAT FOC/96 RESEAU 512X512 CLEAR 1 DEF SEQ 162,169 NON-INT Comments: INTERNAL EXPOSURE DURING OCCULTATION IMMEDIATELY AFTER 162 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5941( 9) - 10/19/95 17:20 - [ 7] Visit: 02 Visit Requirements: PCS MODE Fine SAME ORIENT AS 1 On Hold Comments: Additional Comments: FOC M87-JET-POS2; THIS VISIT REQUIRES 3 ORBITS WHEN INTERNAL EXPOSURES ARE PROPERLY SCHEDULED DURING OCCULTATIONS Exposures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Exposure| Target |Instr | Oper. | Aper |Spectral|Central| Optional |Num| Time | Special Number | Name |Config| Mode |or FOV |Element |Waveln.| Parameters |Exp| | Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 209 INTFLAT FOC/96 RESEAU 512X512 CLEAR 1 DEF ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 210 M87-JET- FOC/96 IMAGE 512X512 F342W 1 960S INT ACQ FOR 220-239 POS2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 219 INTFLAT FOC/96 RESEAU 512X512 CLEAR 1 DEF SEQ 210,219 NON-INT; END ORBIT Comments: INTERNAL EXPOSURE DURING OCCULTATION IMMEDIATELY AFTER 210 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 220 M87-JET- FOC/96 IMAGE 512X512 F342W 1 960S EXPAND; MAX DUR 300% POS2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 229 INTFLAT FOC/96 RESEAU 512X512 CLEAR 1 DEF SEQ 220,229 NON-INT; END ORBIT Comments: INTERNAL EXPOSURE DURING OCCULTATION IMMEDIATELY AFTER 220 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 230 M87-JET- FOC/96 IMAGE 512X512 F342W 1 1200S SAME POS AS 220 POS2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 231 M87-JET- FOC/96 IMAGE 512X512 F342W 1 1200S EXPAND; MIN DUR 80%; MAX DUR 140% SAME POS POS2 AS 220 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 239 INTFLAT FOC/96 RESEAU 512X512 CLEAR 1 DEF SEQ 231,239 NON-INT Comments: INTERNAL EXPOSURE DURING OCCULTATION IMMEDIATELY AFTER 231 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5941( 9) - 10/19/95 17:20 - [ 8] Visit: 03 Visit Requirements: PCS MODE Fine SAME ORIENT AS 1 On Hold Comments: Additional Comments: FOC M87-JET-POS3; THIS VISIT REQUIRES 5 ORBITS WHEN INTERNAL EXPOSURES ARE PROPERLY SCHEDULED DURING OCCULTATIONS Exposures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Exposure| Target |Instr | Oper. | Aper |Spectral|Central| Optional |Num| Time | Special Number | Name |Config| Mode |or FOV |Element |Waveln.| Parameters |Exp| | Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 309 INTFLAT FOC/96 RESEAU 512X512 CLEAR 1 DEF ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 310 M87-JET- FOC/96 IMAGE 512X512 F342W 1 960S INT ACQ FOR 320-349 POS3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 319 INTFLAT FOC/96 RESEAU 512X512 CLEAR 1 DEF END ORBIT; SEQ 310,319 NON-INT Comments: INTERNAL EXPOSURE DURING OCCULTATION IMMEDIATELY AFTER 310 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 320 M87-JET- FOC/96 IMAGE 512X512 F342W 1 960S EXPAND; MAX DUR 300% POS3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 329 INTFLAT FOC/96 RESEAU 512X512 CLEAR 1 DEF SEQ 320,329 NON-INT; END ORBIT Comments: INTERNAL EXPOSURE DURING OCCULTATION IMMEDIATELY AFTER 320 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 330 M87-JET- FOC/96 IMAGE 512X512 F342W 1 1200S SAME POS AS 320 POS3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 331 M87-JET- FOC/96 IMAGE 512X512 F342W 1 1200S EXPAND; MIN DUR 80%; MAX DUR 150% SAME POS POS3 AS 320 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 339 INTFLAT FOC/96 RESEAU 512X512 CLEAR 1 DEF SEQ 331,339 NON-INT; END ORBIT Comments: INTERNAL EXPOSURE DURING OCCULTATION IMMEDIATELY AFTER 331 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 340 M87-JET- FOC/96 IMAGE 512X512 F342W,POL 1 1620S SAME POS AS 320 POS3 0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 341 M87-JET- FOC/96 IMAGE 512X512 F342W,POL 1 1620S SAME POS AS 320 POS3 60 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 342 M87-JET- FOC/96 IMAGE 512X512 F342W,POL 1 1620S SAME POS AS 320 POS3 120 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 349 INTFLAT FOC/96 RESEAU 512X512 CLEAR 1 DEF SEQ 342,349 NON-INT Comments: INTERNAL EXPOSURE DURING OCCULTATION IMMEDIATELY AFTER 342 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5941( 9) - 10/19/95 17:20 - [ 9] Visit: 04 Visit Requirements: PCS MODE Fine ORIENTation 294D TO 304D On Hold Comments: Additional Comments: WFPC2 M87-NUC; THIS VISIT REQUIRES 2 ORBITS Exposures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Exposure| Target |Instr | Oper. | Aper |Spectral|Central| Optional |Num| Time | Special Number | Name |Config| Mode |or FOV |Element |Waveln.| Parameters |Exp| | Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 400 M87-NUC WFPC2 IMAGE PC1-FIX F814W CR- 1 531S POS TARG -10.501,-10.000; MIN DUR; MAX DUR SPLIT=0.05660, CR- TOLERANCE=0.0 Comments: THIS IS A 30 SEC. AND A 500 SEC. EXPOSURE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 401 M87-NUC WFPC2 IMAGE PC1-FIX F814W CR-SPLIT=NO 1 500S POS TARG -10.000,-9.499; MIN DUR; MAX DUR 125% ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 402 M87-NUC WFPC2 IMAGE PC1-FIX F814W CR-SPLIT=NO 1 500S POS TARG -9.499,-10.000; MIN DUR; MAX DUR 125%; END ORBIT ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 451 M87-NUC WFPC2 IMAGE PC1-FIX F814W CR- 1 631S POS TARG -10.251,-9.749; MIN DUR; MAX DUR; SPLIT=0.04762, CR- TOLERANCE=0.0 Comments: THIS IS A 30 SEC. AND A 600 SEC. EXPOSURE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 452 M87-NUC WFPC2 IMAGE PC1-FIX F814W CR-SPLIT=NO 1 600S POS TARG -9.749,-9.248; MIN DUR; MAX DUR 125% ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 453 M87-NUC WFPC2 IMAGE PC1-FIX F814W CR-SPLIT=NO 1 600S POS TARG -9.248,-9.749; MIN DUR; MAX DUR 125%; END ORBIT ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5941( 9) - 10/19/95 17:20 - [ 10] Summary Form for Proposal 5941 Item Used in this proposal ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Configurations FOC/96 WFPC2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Opmodes RESEAU IMAGE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Optional Parameters CR-SPLIT=0.05660 CR-TOLERANCE=0.0 CR-SPLIT=NO CR-SPLIT=0.04762 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Proposal Category GO ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Scientific Category AGN ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Special Requirements PCS MODE Fine ORIENTation 95D TO 115D BETWEEN 1-MAY-1995 AND 30-AUG-1995 GROUP 1-3 WITHIN 30D INT ACQ FOR 120-169; SEQ 110,119 NON-INT EXPAND; MAX DUR 300% SEQ 120,129 NON-INT; END ORBIT SAME POS AS 120 EXPAND; MIN DUR 80%; MAX DUR 200% SAME POS AS 120 SEQ 131,139 NON-INT; END ORBIT EXPAND; MIN DUR 80%; MAX DUR 150% SAME POS AS 120 SEQ 151,159 NON-INT; END ORBIT SEQ 162,169 NON-INT PCS MODE Fine SAME ORIENT AS 1 INT ACQ FOR 220-239 SEQ 210,219 NON-INT; END ORBIT SEQ 220,229 NON-INT; END ORBIT SAME POS AS 220 EXPAND; MIN DUR 80%; MAX DUR 140% SAME POS AS 220 SEQ 231,239 NON-INT INT ACQ FOR 320-349 END ORBIT; SEQ 310,319 NON-INT SEQ 320,329 NON-INT; END ORBIT SAME POS AS 320 EXPAND; MIN DUR 80%; MAX DUR 150% SAME POS AS 320 SEQ 331,339 NON-INT; END ORBIT SEQ 342,349 NON-INT PCS MODE Fine ORIENTation 294D TO 304D POS TARG -10.501,-10.000; MIN DUR; MAX DUR POS TARG -10.000,-9.499; MIN DUR; MAX DUR 125% POS TARG -9.499,-10.000; MIN DUR; MAX DUR 125%; END ORBIT POS TARG -10.251,-9.749; MIN DUR; MAX DUR; POS TARG -9.749,-9.248; MIN DUR; MAX DUR 125% POS TARG -9.248,-9.749; MIN DUR; MAX DUR 125%; END ORBIT ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Spectral Elements CLEAR F342W F342W,F4ND F342W,F2ND F342W,POL0 F342W,POL60 F342W,POL120 F814W ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Target Names INTFLAT M87-JET-POS1 M87-JET-POS2 M87-JET-POS3 M87-NUC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------