12983( 5) - 30-Aug-2012 12:17:08 - [ 1] HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE OBSERVING PROGRAM 12983 Version: 5 Check-in Time: 30-Aug-2012 12:17:08 STScI Edit Number: 2 Title The active pair-instability supernova PTF10nmn: late-time photometry, host properties and precise localization. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Type Cycle GO 20 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Investigators Contact? PI: Dr. Ofer Yaron Weizmann Institute of Science Y CoI: Dr. Avishay Gal-Yam Weizmann Institute of Science N CoI: Prof. Shrinivas R. Kulkarni California Institute of Technology N CoI: Dr. Abraham Loeb Harvard University N CoI: Mr. Tony Pan Harvard University N ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Abstract Pair-instability supernovae (PISN) may be the brightest and most energetic explosions in the Universe, arising from the most massive stars. However, they are rare! Only a single promising candidate has been published to date (SN 2007bi; Gal-Yam et al. 2009, Nature, 462, 624). During the last two years we have been monitoring a second good candidate, discovered by the Palomar Transient Factory - PTF10nmn, whose observed features (both light curve and spectra) closely resemble those of SN 2007bi. The SN, at redshift z=0.123, is now more than 1.5 years after peak brightness, but became nebular only around 100 days ago and is still visible; its late-time emission powered by the huge synthesized 56Ni mass and slowly declining. We propose to obtain accurate late-time photometry of the SN in order to measure the late-time decay rate and constrain the relevant physics (continued decline following the 56Co rate vs. possible contribution from late CSM interaction). We will acquire accurate photometry of the dwarf host galaxy (an important clue to the origin of these explosions) and determine the exact location of the SN within its host. This should serve future studies (after the SN light has completely disappeared) that will be able to unveil in detail the immediate surrounding of this SN, and test recent theoretical work concerning the nature of PISNe at low redshift galaxies. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Observations Description ------------------------ Two orbits imaging using ACS/WFC with optical band F625W. Real Time Justification ----------------------- Scheduling requirement: We stress again that due to the fact that our target is already 2 years post maximum light and is fading away, and because a major goal is to obtain a precise localization within the host, we have requested that the observations will take place as early as possible within the cycle. This constraint has been reviewed and approved by the panel, and it would be of tremendous value if this observation is indeed scheduled to the very beginning (1st month) of the cycle! Calibration Justification 12983( 5) - 30-Aug-2012 12:17:08 - [ 2] ------------------------- Additional Comments ------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 12983( 5) - 30-Aug-2012 12:17:08 - [ 3] TARGET LIST Fixed Targets ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tar| Target | Target | Target |Coord | Radial | Flux data No | Name | Description | Position |Eqnx | Vel. | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 PTF10NMN EXT-STAR, SUPERNOVA RA=15H50M2.7900S +/- 0.1", J2000 V = 25.0 +/- 0.5 DEC=-07D24'42.10" +/- 0.1" Reference Frame: ICRS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 12983( 5) - 30-Aug-2012 12:17:08 - [ 4] Patterns ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pattern_Number: 1 Primary_Pattern Secondary_Pattern Pattern_Type ACS-WFC-DITHER-BOX Pattern_Purpose DITHER Number_Of_Points 4 Point_Spacing 0.265 Line_Spacing 0.187 Coordinate_Frame POS-TARG Pattern_Orient 20.67 Angle_Between_Sides 69.05 Center_Pattern YES ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 12983( 5) - 30-Aug-2012 12:17:08 - [ 5] Visit: 01 Visit Requirements: BEFORE 15-OCT-2012 On Hold Comments: Additional Comments: Exposures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Exp | Target | Instr | Oper. | Aper |Spectral|Central| Optional |Num| Time | Special Num | Name | Config | Mode | or FOV |Element |Waveln.| Parameters |Exp| | Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 PTF10NMN ACS/WFC ACCUM WFC1-CTE F625W 1 550 S GS ACQ SCENARIO BASE1B3; PATTERN 1 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 PTF10NMN ACS/WFC ACCUM WFC1-CTE F625W 1 599 S PATTERN 1 2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ PTF10NMN 1 ACS/WFC ACCUM WFC1-CTE F625W 1 none none none 1 N/A PTF10NMN 1 ACS/WFC ACCUM WFC1-CTE F625W 2 none none none 1 N/A PTF10NMN 1 ACS/WFC ACCUM WFC1-CTE F625W 3 none none none 1 N/A PTF10NMN 1 ACS/WFC ACCUM WFC1-CTE F625W 4 none none none 1 N/A PTF10NMN 2 ACS/WFC ACCUM WFC1-CTE F625W 1 none none none 2 N/A PTF10NMN 2 ACS/WFC ACCUM WFC1-CTE F625W 2 none none none 2 N/A PTF10NMN 2 ACS/WFC ACCUM WFC1-CTE F625W 3 none none none 2 N/A PTF10NMN 2 ACS/WFC ACCUM WFC1-CTE F625W 4 none none none 2 N/A 12983( 5) - 30-Aug-2012 12:17:08 - [ 6] Summary Form for Proposal 12983 Item Used in this proposal ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Apertures WFC1-CTE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Configurations ACS/WFC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Opmodes ACCUM ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Optional Parameters ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Special Requirements BEFORE 15-OCT-2012, GS ACQ SCENARIO BASE1B3, PATTERN 1 1, PATTERN 1 2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Spectral Elements F625W ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Target Names PTF10NMN ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------