12223( 3) - 18-May-2011 10:18:14 - [ 1] HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE OBSERVING PROGRAM 12223 Version: 3 Check-in Time: 18-May-2011 10:18:14 STScI Edit Number: 0 Title Exploring the Bright Side of Massive Stellar Death with NUV Spectroscopy ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Type Cycle GO 18 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Investigators Contact? PI: Dr. Robert M. Quimby California Institute of Technology CoI: Prof. Shrinivas R. Kulkarni California Institute of Technology N CoI: Dr. Eran O. Ofek California Institute of Technology N CoI: Ms. Mansi Kasliwal Carnegie Institution of Washington N CoI: Dr. Avishay Gal-Yam Weizmann Institute of Science N CoI: Mr. Iair Arcavi Weizmann Institute of Science N CoI: Dr. Stephen Bradley Cenko University of California - Berkeley N CoI: Dr. Daniel Kasen University of California - Santa Cruz N CoI: Prof. Lars Bildsten University of California - Santa Barbara N ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Abstract A new class of stellar outbursts dwarfing the most powerful supernovae observed in the past century has recently been uncovered by wide field optical imaging surveys. With peak luminosities in excess of 10^44 erg/s and total radiative outputs greater than 10^51 erg, these events push the limits of conventional supernova explosion theory. One possibility is that these luminous supernovae (LSNe) are triggered by the electron-positron pair instability, and they may thus represent local analogs of the first stellar explosions to shape the universe. Another is that an additional source of power, such as that provided by spin-down of a nacent magnetar, adds energy into the ejecta after the initial supernova explosion. Near UV spectroscopy from HST/STIS can help break the observational degereracy to reveal the true physical origin of these events. We propose a non-disruptive ToO program for STIS spectroscopy to follow-up new LSNe discoveries in Cycle 18 supplemented with Swift UV photometry and ground based optical imaging and spectroscopy from the Keck and Palomar observatories. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Observations Description ------------------------ Our goal is to acquire NUV spectra of three luminous supernovae (M < -21) to help uncover their physical origin. Our targets will be supplied by the Palomar Transient Factory (PTF) survey, although we could include discoveries from ROTSE-III or elsewhere in exceptional circumstances. We will choose three of these for NUV spectroscopy provided that they meet the following selection requirements: 1) rising r-band flux consistent with a LSNe, 2) spectroscopically confirmed LSNe classification and redshift, and 3) Swift UVW1 (2600 A) flux greater than F_lambda = 1e-16. Existing data show that LSNe evolve slowly (weeks to month time scales), although some events evolve faster. PTF will first detect LSNe outbursts around 2 months prior to r-band maximum. Optical spectroscopic classification is typically performed with in 2 weeks of this, but often considerably sooner (1-2 12223( 3) - 18-May-2011 10:18:14 - [ 2] days). Swift follow-up observations will occur no later than 5 days from this (allowing for analysis and additional photometric information). We will update our Phase II with the coordinates of select targets meeting the above criteria immediately following positive Swift results, allowing 10 to 15 days for the observations to be inserted into the HST queue. Of course sooner observations will improve the scientific return and are welcome provided they do not disrupt the HST schedule. If subsequent measurements by Swift indicate the UVW1 flux is rising and above F_lambda = 3e-16 and the observability window is larger than 40 days for HST and 60 days from the ground, we will trigger the multi-epoch NUV spectral follow-up sequence. The spectral features of LSNe are broadened by about 10^4 km/s, and may therefore be studied with low spectral resolution. This combined with the need for significant wavelength coverage makes STIS preferable to COS. We will use the MAMA detector owing to its greater sensitivity over the CCD for wavelengths short of 2500 A. Using the SCP 06F6 spectra and our existing Swift photometry, we find that ~4500 s exposures are required to reach a S/N of 10 in the key line features (after binning to R~100) if the UVW1 flux is F_lambda = 1e-16. Real Time Justification ----------------------- Calibration Justification ------------------------- Additional Comments ------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 12223( 3) - 18-May-2011 10:18:14 - [ 3] TARGET LIST Fixed Targets ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tar| Target | Target | Target |Coord | Radial | Flux data No | Name | Description | Position |Eqnx | Vel. | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7 PTF11DIJ STAR, SUPERNOVA RA=13H50M57.7970S +/- 0.1", J2000 V = 18 +/- 0.2 DEC=+26D16'42.90" +/- 0.1" Reference Frame: ICRS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 12223( 3) - 18-May-2011 10:18:14 - [ 4] TARGET LIST Generic Targets ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tar| Target | Target | Selection Criteria | Flux data No | Name | Description | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 LSN-TOO2 EXT-STAR, SUPERNOVA OTHER: TARGET DRAWN FROM PTF V = 19 +/- 2 SEARCH FIELD Comments: Luminous supernova not yet discovered ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3 LSN-TOO3 EXT-STAR, SUPERNOVA OTHER: TARGET DRAWN FROM PTF V = 19 +/- 2 SEARCH FIELD Comments: Luminous supernova not yet discovered ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4 LSN-MONITORI EXT-STAR, SUPERNOVA OTHER: TARGET DRAWN FROM PTF V = 19 +/- 2 NG1 SEARCH FIELD Comments: Luminous supernova not yet discovered ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 LSN-MONITORI EXT-STAR, SUPERNOVA OTHER: TARGET DRAWN FROM PTF V = 19 +/- 2 NG2 SEARCH FIELD Comments: Luminous supernova not yet discovered ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6 LSN-MONITORI EXT-STAR, SUPERNOVA OTHER: TARGET DRAWN FROM PTF V = 19 +/- 2 NG3 SEARCH FIELD Comments: Luminous supernova not yet discovered ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 12223( 3) - 18-May-2011 10:18:14 - [ 5] Visit: 01 Visit Requirements: PCS MODE FINE; BEFORE 04-JUN-2011:00:00:00 On Hold Comments: Additional Comments: NUV spectrum of PTF11dij Exposures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Exp | Target | Instr | Oper. | Aper |Spectral|Central| Optional |Num| Time | Special Num | Name | Config | Mode | or FOV |Element |Waveln.| Parameters |Exp| | Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 PTF11DIJ STIS/CCD ACQ F28X50LP MIRROR ACQTYPE=POINT 1 35.0 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 PTF11DIJ STIS/NUV ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 1 2315 S -MAMA ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3 PTF11DIJ STIS/NUV ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 1 3007 S -MAMA ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sub Exposures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Target | Exp |Instr | Oper. | Aper |Spectral|Cent.|Primary |Secondary |Iteration |CR-SPLIT |Orbit |Duration Name | Num |Config | Mode | or FOV |Element |Wave.|Pattern Pos |Pattern Pos |Num |Num |Number | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ PTF11DIJ 1 STIS/CCD ACQ F28X50LP MIRROR none none none none 1 N/A PTF11DIJ 2 STIS/NUV ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 none none none none 1 N/A -MAMA PTF11DIJ 3 STIS/NUV ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 none none none none 2 N/A -MAMA 12223( 3) - 18-May-2011 10:18:14 - [ 6] Visit: 02 Visit Requirements: PCS MODE FINE; BETWEEN 01-SEP-2010:00:00:00 AND 31-DEC-2011:00:00:00; ON HOLD On Hold Comments: Target of opportunity Additional Comments: NUV spectrum of LSN-TOO2 Exposures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Exp | Target | Instr | Oper. | Aper |Spectral|Central| Optional |Num| Time | Special Num | Name | Config | Mode | or FOV |Element |Waveln.| Parameters |Exp| | Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 LSN-TOO2 STIS/CCD ACQ F28X50LP MIRROR ACQTYPE=POINT 1 35.0 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 LSN-TOO2 STIS/NUV ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 1 2300 S -MAMA see below ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3 LSN-TOO2 STIS/NUV ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 1 3000 S -MAMA see below ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sub Exposures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Target | Exp |Instr | Oper. | Aper |Spectral|Cent.|Primary |Secondary |Iteration |CR-SPLIT |Orbit |Duration Name | Num |Config | Mode | or FOV |Element |Wave.|Pattern Pos |Pattern Pos |Num |Num |Number | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ LSN-TOO2 1 STIS/CCD ACQ F28X50LP MIRROR none none none none 1 N/A LSN-TOO2 2 STIS/NUV ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 none none none none 1 2292.0 S -MAMA LSN-TOO2 3 STIS/NUV ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 none none none none 2 2984.0 S -MAMA 12223( 3) - 18-May-2011 10:18:14 - [ 7] Visit: 03 Visit Requirements: PCS MODE FINE; BETWEEN 01-SEP-2010:00:00:00 AND 31-DEC-2011:00:00:00; ON HOLD On Hold Comments: Target of opportunity Additional Comments: NUV spectrum of LSN-TOO3 Exposures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Exp | Target | Instr | Oper. | Aper |Spectral|Central| Optional |Num| Time | Special Num | Name | Config | Mode | or FOV |Element |Waveln.| Parameters |Exp| | Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 LSN-TOO3 STIS/CCD ACQ F28X50LP MIRROR ACQTYPE=POINT 1 35.0 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 LSN-TOO3 STIS/NUV ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 1 2300 S -MAMA see below ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3 LSN-TOO3 STIS/NUV ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 1 3000 S -MAMA see below ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sub Exposures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Target | Exp |Instr | Oper. | Aper |Spectral|Cent.|Primary |Secondary |Iteration |CR-SPLIT |Orbit |Duration Name | Num |Config | Mode | or FOV |Element |Wave.|Pattern Pos |Pattern Pos |Num |Num |Number | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ LSN-TOO3 1 STIS/CCD ACQ F28X50LP MIRROR none none none none 1 N/A LSN-TOO3 2 STIS/NUV ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 none none none none 1 2292.0 S -MAMA LSN-TOO3 3 STIS/NUV ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 none none none none 2 2984.0 S -MAMA 12223( 3) - 18-May-2011 10:18:14 - [ 8] Visit: 04 Visit Requirements: PCS MODE FINE; BETWEEN 01-SEP-2010:00:00:00 AND 31-DEC-2011:00:00:00; ON HOLD On Hold Comments: Target of opportunity Additional Comments: NUV spectrum of LSN-MONITORING1 Exposures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Exp | Target | Instr | Oper. | Aper |Spectral|Central| Optional |Num| Time | Special Num | Name | Config | Mode | or FOV |Element |Waveln.| Parameters |Exp| | Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 LSN-MONITOR STIS/CCD ACQ F28X50LP MIRROR ACQTYPE=POINT 1 35.0 S ING1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 LSN-MONITOR STIS/NUV ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 1 2300 S ING1 -MAMA see below ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3 LSN-MONITOR STIS/NUV ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 1 3000 S ING1 -MAMA see below ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sub Exposures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Target | Exp |Instr | Oper. | Aper |Spectral|Cent.|Primary |Secondary |Iteration |CR-SPLIT |Orbit |Duration Name | Num |Config | Mode | or FOV |Element |Wave.|Pattern Pos |Pattern Pos |Num |Num |Number | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ LSN-MONITORING1 1 STIS/CCD ACQ F28X50LP MIRROR none none none none 1 N/A LSN-MONITORING1 2 STIS/NUV ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 none none none none 1 2292.0 S -MAMA LSN-MONITORING1 3 STIS/NUV ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 none none none none 2 2984.0 S -MAMA 12223( 3) - 18-May-2011 10:18:14 - [ 9] Visit: 05 Visit Requirements: PCS MODE FINE; BETWEEN 01-SEP-2010:00:00:00 AND 31-DEC-2011:00:00:00; ON HOLD On Hold Comments: Target of opportunity Additional Comments: NUV spectrum of LSN-MONITORING2 Exposures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Exp | Target | Instr | Oper. | Aper |Spectral|Central| Optional |Num| Time | Special Num | Name | Config | Mode | or FOV |Element |Waveln.| Parameters |Exp| | Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 LSN-MONITOR STIS/CCD ACQ F28X50LP MIRROR ACQTYPE=POINT 1 35.0 S ING2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 LSN-MONITOR STIS/NUV ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 1 2300 S ING2 -MAMA see below ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3 LSN-MONITOR STIS/NUV ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 1 3000 S ING2 -MAMA see below ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sub Exposures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Target | Exp |Instr | Oper. | Aper |Spectral|Cent.|Primary |Secondary |Iteration |CR-SPLIT |Orbit |Duration Name | Num |Config | Mode | or FOV |Element |Wave.|Pattern Pos |Pattern Pos |Num |Num |Number | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ LSN-MONITORING2 1 STIS/CCD ACQ F28X50LP MIRROR none none none none 1 N/A LSN-MONITORING2 2 STIS/NUV ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 none none none none 1 2292.0 S -MAMA LSN-MONITORING2 3 STIS/NUV ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 none none none none 2 2984.0 S -MAMA 12223( 3) - 18-May-2011 10:18:14 - [ 10] Visit: 06 Visit Requirements: PCS MODE FINE; BETWEEN 01-SEP-2010:00:00:00 AND 31-DEC-2011:00:00:00; ON HOLD On Hold Comments: Target of opportunity Additional Comments: NUV spectrum of LSN-MONITORING3 Exposures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Exp | Target | Instr | Oper. | Aper |Spectral|Central| Optional |Num| Time | Special Num | Name | Config | Mode | or FOV |Element |Waveln.| Parameters |Exp| | Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 LSN-MONITOR STIS/CCD ACQ F28X50LP MIRROR ACQTYPE=POINT 1 35.0 S ING3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 LSN-MONITOR STIS/NUV ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 1 2300 S ING3 -MAMA see below ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3 LSN-MONITOR STIS/NUV ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 1 3000 S ING3 -MAMA see below ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sub Exposures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Target | Exp |Instr | Oper. | Aper |Spectral|Cent.|Primary |Secondary |Iteration |CR-SPLIT |Orbit |Duration Name | Num |Config | Mode | or FOV |Element |Wave.|Pattern Pos |Pattern Pos |Num |Num |Number | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ LSN-MONITORING3 1 STIS/CCD ACQ F28X50LP MIRROR none none none none 1 N/A LSN-MONITORING3 2 STIS/NUV ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 none none none none 1 2292.0 S -MAMA LSN-MONITORING3 3 STIS/NUV ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 none none none none 2 2984.0 S -MAMA 12223( 3) - 18-May-2011 10:18:14 - [ 11] Summary Form for Proposal 12223 Item Used in this proposal ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Apertures 52X0.2, F28X50LP ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Configurations STIS/CCD, STIS/NUV-MAMA ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Opmodes ACCUM, ACQ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Optional Parameters ACQTYPE=POINT ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Special Requirements BEFORE 04-JUN-2011:00:00:00, BETWEEN 01-SEP-2010:00:00:00 AND 31-DEC-2011:00:00:00, ON HOLD , PCS MODE FINE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Spectral Elements G230L, MIRROR ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Target Names LSN-MONITORING1, LSN-MONITORING2, LSN-MONITORING3, LSN-TOO2, LSN-TOO3, PTF11DIJ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------