13628( 2) - 11-Mar-2014 10:09:16 - [ 1] HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE OBSERVING PROGRAM 13628 Version: 2 Check-in Time: 11-Mar-2014 10:09:16 STScI Edit Number: 0 Title Lyman-alpha observations of the interplanetary hydrogen: support of a NASA sounding rocket program and study of the local interstellar medium ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Type Cycle GO/DD 21 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Investigators Contact? PI: Dr. Frederic E. Vincent LATMOS Y CoI: Dr. Lotfi Ben Jaffel CNRS, Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris N CoI: Dr. Walter M. Harris University of Arizona N CoI: Dr. Eric Quemerais LATMOS N CoI: Prof. John T. Clarke Boston University N CoI: Dr. Vladislav V. Izmodenov Sternberg State Astronomical Institute N CoI: Dr. Olga Katushkina Lomonosov Moscow State University N CoI: Dr. Dimitra Koutroumpa LATMOS N CoI: Dr. Rosine Lallement Observatoire de Paris - Section de Meudon N CoI: Dr. Brian E. Wood Naval Research Laboratory N ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Abstract Our proposal is to use the Hubble Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (HST /STIS) over a single orbit to make Lyman-alpha observations of the interplanetary hydrogen (IPH) during the April period of this year (2014). These measurements will provide wavelength and flux calibration, in order to support the HYPE instrument (Hydrogen Polarimetric Explorer) that is planned to make spectro-polarimetric observations in April during a suborbital flight of a NASA sounding rocket (grant NNX08AI98G). Cross-calibration will also be made with the SWAN instrument (Solar Wind Anisotropies) on the SOHO satellite (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory). SWAN can provide flux calibration but without any spectral information, so only HST/STIS can provide the wavelength calibration. Moreover the scientific controversy on the physical properties of the local interstellar medium (LISM) is still going on. The recent observations of interstellar helium atoms by IBEX (Interstellar Boundaries Explorer) suggest that the LISM velocity vector may vary over time. Such a change should impact the bulk velocity of interplanetary hydrogen and should be detected by HST /STIS. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Observations Description ------------------------ TARGET & OBSERVATION MODE We will observe the backscattering of solar Lyman-alpha photons by the interplanetary hydrogen (IPH) in the upwind direction with HST/STIS during one orbit, in order to obtain one high-resolution line profile. The IPH is a faint and diffuse source, this is why we will use the E40H echelle grating with the long slit (52" x 0.5") in order to increase the signal-to-noise ratio. We already used this available but not supported mode for previous observations (2001, 2012, 2013). 13628( 2) - 11-Mar-2014 10:09:16 - [ 2] SCHEDULING CONSTRAINTS We desire to obtain the maximum Doppler shift between the interplanetary and geocoronal emissions in order to reduce the overlapping between line profiles. This requires that the Earth moves toward the upwind direction, so the observation should occur in a window of 2 months centred around 1st April 2013. April will suit better than March, because of an unique opportunity of cross-calibration: the HYPE instrument (Hydrogen Polarimetric Explorer) is planned to make spectro-polarimetric observations in April during a suborbital flight of a NASA sounding rocket (grant NNX08AI98G). CONSTRAINT ON THE FIELD OF VIEW The observations should be done with no stars brighter than V-Magnitude=18 in the aperture. REQUEST ON THE FUV-MAMA DETECTORS With a signal-to-noise of about 10, the background noise is a significant issue for the data analysis. This is why it is really important and necessary to start the FUV-MAMA detectors just before the exposure, in order to reduce the background noise, especially the intermittent glow due to the dark current. (http://www.stsci.edu/hst/stis/documents/handbooks/currentIHB/c07_performance6. html#310668) Real Time Justification ----------------------- Calibration Justification ------------------------- Additional Comments ------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 13628( 2) - 11-Mar-2014 10:09:16 - [ 3] TARGET LIST Fixed Targets ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tar| Target | Target | Target |Coord | Radial | Flux data No | Name | Description | Position |Eqnx | Vel. | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 UPWIND-INTER ISM, WIND RA=16H50M46.7511S, J2000 V = 22 Lyman-alpha emission from the PLANETARY-HY DEC=-15D25'42.35" geocorona = 6.1e-13 erg/s/cm2/arsec2 DROGEN Reference Frame: ICRS Comments: The observations should be done with no stars brighter than V-Magnitude=18 in the aperture. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 13628( 2) - 11-Mar-2014 10:09:16 - [ 4] Visit: 01 Visit Requirements: BETWEEN 28-MAR-2014:00:00:00 AND 30-APR-2014:00:00:00 On Hold Comments: Additional Comments: Lyman-alpha observations of the interplanetary hydrogen in the upwind direction. Exposures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Exp | Target | Instr | Oper. | Aper |Spectral|Central| Optional |Num| Time | Special Num | Name | Config | Mode | or FOV |Element |Waveln.| Parameters |Exp| (Total) | Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 UPWIND-INTE STIS/FUV TIME-TA 52X0.5 E140H 1234 BUFFER-TIME=4000 1 2400 S RPLANETARY- -MAMA G see below HYDROGEN (2524 S) Comments: ETC can not be run because we are using an unsupported mode: E140H grating with the 52" x 0.5" slit. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ UPWIND-INTERPLANETA 1 STIS/FUV TIME-TA 52X0.5 E140H 1234 none none none none 1 2524.0 S RY-HYDROGEN -MAMA G 13628( 2) - 11-Mar-2014 10:09:16 - [ 5] Summary Form for Proposal 13628 Item Used in this proposal ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Apertures 52X0.5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Configurations STIS/FUV-MAMA ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Opmodes TIME-TAG ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Optional Parameters BUFFER-TIME=4000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Special Requirements BETWEEN 28-MAR-2014:00:00:00 AND 30-APR-2014:00:00:00 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Spectral Elements E140H ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Target Names UPWIND-INTERPLANETARY-HYDROGEN ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------