13061( 2) - 10-Jul-2012 17:42:15 - [ 1] HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE OBSERVING PROGRAM 13061 Version: 2 Check-in Time: 10-Jul-2012 17:42:15 STScI Edit Number: 0 Title High-Precision Proper Motions in the M87 Jet ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Type Cycle GO 20 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Investigators Contact? PI: Dr. John A. Biretta Space Telescope Science Institute Y CoI: Dr. Masanori Nakamura Academia Sinica, Institute of Astronomy N and Astrophysics CoI: Dr. William B. Sparks Space Telescope Science Institute N ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Abstract As the nearest galaxy with an optical jet, M87 affords an unparalleled opportunity to study extragalactic jet phenomena at the highest resolution. We have previously obtained HST images of the jet with unprecedented resolution which show detailed shock structures as well as numerous unresolved condensations over the first few arcseconds of the jet. Our previous HST monitoring observations have found superluminal motion at speeds up to 6c in many of these features, and showed the formation of new emission regions and rapid variability. The recently repaired STIS/NUV instrument now presents a unique opportunity to measure proper motions in the M87 jet with a single highly stable, high resolution instrument across a 13 yr timebase. We will use these new data, together with STIS/NUV data from 1999-2003 to map the velocity field of the jet to much higher accuracy than previously possible. This will allow us to measure the bulk deceleration of the jet, transverse motions, accelerations / decelerations of individual features, and numerous fainter jet features. We will use this to test models for the structure and kinematics of relativistic jet flows, synchrotron emission regions, and AGN in general. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Observations Description ------------------------ We will obtsin STIS NUV/F25QTZ images of the jet using a setup which closely duplicates our previous monitor observations. Sub-exposures will be dithered to improve PSF sampling by the 0.024" pixels and minimize detector artifacts. There should be no bright object issues for either the M87 nucleus or jet. Real Time Justification ----------------------- Calibration Justification ------------------------- Additional Comments 13061( 2) - 10-Jul-2012 17:42:15 - [ 2] ------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 13061( 2) - 10-Jul-2012 17:42:15 - [ 3] TARGET LIST Fixed Targets ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tar| Target | Target | Target |Coord | Radial | Flux data No | Name | Description | Position |Eqnx | Vel. | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 M87-NUCLEUS GALAXY, ELLIPTICAL, RA=12H30M49.4300S +/- 0.1", J2000 V = 16.7 JET, RADIO GALAXY DEC=+12D23'28.90" +/- 0.1" Reference Frame: ICRS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 13061( 2) - 10-Jul-2012 17:42:15 - [ 4] Visit: 01 Visit Requirements: SCHED 100%; ORIENT 103.D TO 110. D On Hold Comments: Additional Comments: Prefer scheduling during May - August 2013 visibility window. Exposures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Exp | Target | Instr | Oper. | Aper |Spectral|Central| Optional |Num| Time | Special Num | Name | Config | Mode | or FOV |Element |Waveln.| Parameters |Exp| | Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 M87-NUCLEUS STIS/NUV ACCUM F25QTZ MIRROR 1 590 S POS TARG -7, 7 -MAMA Comments: ETC calculation based on May 2012 STIS NUV observation. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 M87-NUCLEUS STIS/NUV ACCUM F25QTZ MIRROR 1 590 S POS TARG -6.496, 6.748 -MAMA ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3 M87-NUCLEUS STIS/NUV ACCUM F25QTZ MIRROR 1 590 S POS TARG -6.244, 6.244 -MAMA ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4 M87-NUCLEUS STIS/NUV ACCUM F25QTZ MIRROR 1 590 S POS TARG -6.748, 6.496 -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 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ M87-NUCLEUS 1 STIS/NUV ACCUM F25QTZ MIRROR none none none none 1 N/A -MAMA M87-NUCLEUS 2 STIS/NUV ACCUM F25QTZ MIRROR none none none none 1 N/A -MAMA M87-NUCLEUS 3 STIS/NUV ACCUM F25QTZ MIRROR none none none none 1 N/A -MAMA M87-NUCLEUS 4 STIS/NUV ACCUM F25QTZ MIRROR none none none none 1 N/A -MAMA 13061( 2) - 10-Jul-2012 17:42:15 - [ 5] Summary Form for Proposal 13061 Item Used in this proposal ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Apertures F25QTZ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Configurations STIS/NUV-MAMA ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Opmodes ACCUM ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Optional Parameters ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Special Requirements ORIENT 103.D TO 110. D, POS TARG -6.244, 6.244, POS TARG -6.496, 6.748, POS TARG -6.748, 6.496, POS TARG -7, 7, SCHED 100% ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Spectral Elements MIRROR ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Target Names M87-NUCLEUS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------