14336( 4) - 20-Jul-2015 22:42:40 - [ 1] HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE OBSERVING PROGRAM 14336 Version: 4 Check-in Time: 20-Jul-2015 22:42:40 STScI Edit Number: 0 Title A Direct Distance to an Ancient Metal-Poor Star Cluster ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Type Cycle GO 23 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Investigators Contact? PI: Dr. Thomas M. Brown Space Telescope Science Institute Y CoI: Dr. Stefano Casertano Space Telescope Science Institute N CoI: Dr. Adam Riess The Johns Hopkins University N CoI: Prof. Jay Strader Michigan State University N CoI: Dr. Jason S. Kalirai Space Telescope Science Institute N CoI: Dr. David R. Soderblom Space Telescope Science Institute N CoI: Prof. Don A. Vandenberg University of Victoria N ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Abstract We propose spatial-scanning observations of NGC 6397, an ancient metal-poor globular cluster, in order to obtain a high-precision measurement of its annual trigonometric parallax. Using comprehensive preparations and simulations, we have found that the uncertainty on this direct distance measurement will be approximately 2%. Although dozens of open clusters within 1 kpc have measured parallaxes, to date there has been no measured parallax for a globular cluster. All globular clusters lie further than 1 kpc, and so there are no stellar population anchors at old ages (> 10 Gyr) and low metallicities ([Fe/H] < -1) with direct high-precision distances. Our program will provide the first anchor in this ancient metal-poor regime, with implications for a wide variety of stellar population studies, particularly in the realm of star formation histories. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Observations Description ------------------------ Note that GO-14336 is constructed to reproduce GO-13817, which executed successfully. GO-13817 represents epochs 1 and 2 of this 5-epoch program. GO-14336 represents epochs 3 and 4 of this 5-epoch program. The only changes made here, with respect to GO-13817, are: Visit timing requirements have been adjusted one year later. Post-flash levels have been increased from 10 e- to 12 e-. The 10 warnings reported by APT for GO-14336 are the same as those reported for GO-13817. Program GO-14336 should use the same guide stars as those for GO-13817. Here is the original observing description, from GO-13817, with updates to the dates mentioned: Our proposal obtains a high-precision distance to the metal-poor GC NGC6397 using the spatial-scanning capability of WFC3/UVIS. Our preparations include selection of the best field location and orientation, taking into account the number of cluster and field stars with useful scans (uncontaminated by 14336( 4) - 20-Jul-2015 22:42:40 - [ 2] neighbors), appropriate sampling of the parallax ellipse, schedulability, and scan position angle relative to the parallactic motion at the time of each observation. In each single-orbit epoch, we can execute 4 spatial scans in the F606W filter (forward, reverse, forward, reverse) of 3600-pixel length, plus 8 unscanned images binned 2x2. These binned images will employ the F336W, F467M, F547M and F850LP filters. The resulting 4-filter photometry, when combined with ground-based spectroscopy of the field stars, will enable the required constraints on the absolute parallax reference frame. We will obtain multiple images in each filter for the entire scanned area, enabling cosmic-ray rejection and increased dynamic range. The program will eventually obtain five single-orbit epochs, at six month intervals (September and March) that sample the times of maximum parallactic motion. We should have at least a week of schedule availability for each epoch, at the appropriate orientation and date. We leave a few minutes of unused visibility to ensure scheduling. The orientation and cadence are constrained, but a single orbit within a 1-week period, repeated every 6 months with exact 180 degree flips in orientation, should not present a burden to the HST scheduling system. Each spatial scan is nearly along the y-axis of the detector (0.05 degree offset), minimizing the effect of charge transfer inefficiency, but providing subsampling of the point spread function in the resolution direction (perpendicular to the scan). Ideally, we would observe on Sep 18 2015 and Mar 19 2016, which would be the time of maximum offset on the parallax ellipse, but observations within a week of these dates have little impact on the fidelity of the measurement. Ideally, we would scan at a position angle of 2.9 degrees (perpendicular to the semi-major axis of the parallax ellipse), corresponding to an orientation of 138 degrees for WFC3. However, that roll angle is unavailable at the appropriate dates, and the roll angle must also be chosen to obtain clean scans of the desired stars. So, 110.5 and 290.5 degrees are used. The binned imaging needs to provide photometry that does not saturate the ADC (65, 000 DN) in 4 pixels while providing good signal-to-noise. At a gain of 1.5, that means the central 4 pixels should have less than 100, 000 e-. The ensquared energy in the central 2x2 pixels of the PSF is 2.8x higher than that in the central pixel, according to the handbook. To be conservative, assume the central unbinned pixel should have ~<30, 000 e- (note full well is ~70, 000 e-). Using Stromgren photometry of reference stars in the field, the range of most interest can be represented by two stars at ~4500K and ~5000K, with V=11.5 mag and V=15.6 mag. Count rate in central unbinned pixel (e-/s) Filter 4500K/11.5mag 5000K/15.6mag F336W 1307 67 F467M 9425 219 F547M 39435 825 F850LP 33202 508 Exposure times of 20, 2, 1, & 1 sec for the F336W, F467M, F547M, and F850LP should be unsaturated at the bright end and have good SNR at the faint end. To improve the SNR at the faint end, take pairs of images at each position with each filter, with the second exposure being longer than the times here. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 14336( 4) - 20-Jul-2015 22:42:40 - [ 3] TARGET LIST Fixed Targets ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tar| Target | Target | Target |Coord | Radial | Flux data No | Name | Description | Position |Eqnx | Vel. | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 NGC6397 STELLAR CLUSTER, RA=17H40M50.3975S, J2000 V = 5.7 +/- 0.1 GLOBULAR CLUSTER DEC=-53D31'48.00" Reference Frame: ICRS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 14336( 4) - 20-Jul-2015 22:42:40 - [ 4] Visit: 03 Visit Requirements: ORIENT 110.5D TO 110.5 D; BETWEEN 11-SEP-2015:00:00:00 AND 25-SEP-2015:00:00:00 On Hold Comments: Additional Comments: Note that SAME OBSET is required to keep the 12 exposures within a single visibility period and avoid multiple GS ACQs. The use of "GS ACQ Scenario" in the first exposure has been used in previous spatial scanning programs but was not used here. If it is needed to execute properly, please contact the PI. 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 NGC6397 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CENT F336W CR-SPLIT=NO, BIN=2, FLASH=12 1 20 S (20 POS TARG 0, -72; GSPAIR S ER S) S7CC000352F1S7CC000506F2 ; SEQ 1-12 NON-INT; SAME OBSET 1-12 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 NGC6397 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CENT F336W CR-SPLIT=NO, BIN=2, FLASH=12 1 40 S (40 POS TARG 0, -72 S ER S) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3 NGC6397 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CENT F467M CR-SPLIT=NO, BIN=2, FLASH=12 1 2 S (2 S) POS TARG 0, -72 S ER ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4 NGC6397 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CENT F467M CR-SPLIT=NO, BIN=2, FLASH=12 1 20 S (20 POS TARG 0, -72 S ER S) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 NGC6397 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CENT F606W 1 350 S (350 POS TARG 0, -72; SPATIAL S ER S) SCAN 0.41, 90.05 Degrees, Forward ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6 NGC6397 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CENT F606W 1 350 S (350 POS TARG 0, -72; SPATIAL S ER S) SCAN 0.41, 90.05 Degrees, Reverse ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7 NGC6397 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CENT F606W 1 350 S (350 POS TARG 0, -72; SPATIAL S ER S) SCAN 0.41, 90.05 Degrees, Forward ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8 NGC6397 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CENT F606W 1 350 S (350 POS TARG 0, -72; SPATIAL S ER S) SCAN 0.41, 90.05 Degrees, Reverse ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 9 NGC6397 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CENT F336W CR-SPLIT=NO, BIN=2, FLASH=12 1 20 S (20 POS TARG 0, 72 S ER S) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 10 NGC6397 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CENT F336W CR-SPLIT=NO, BIN=2, FLASH=12 1 40 S (40 POS TARG 0, 72 S ER S) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 14336( 4) - 20-Jul-2015 22:42:40 - [ 5] Exposures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Exp | Target | Instr | Oper. | Aper |Spectral|Central| Optional |Num| Time | Special Num | Name | Config | Mode | or FOV |Element |Waveln.| Parameters |Exp| (Total) | Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 11 NGC6397 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CENT F467M CR-SPLIT=NO, BIN=2, FLASH=12 1 2 S (2 S) POS TARG 0, 72 S ER ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 12 NGC6397 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CENT F467M CR-SPLIT=NO, BIN=2, FLASH=12 1 20 S (20 POS TARG 0, 72 S ER S) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ NGC6397 1 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CEN F336W none none none none 1 N/A S TER NGC6397 2 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CEN F336W none none none none 1 N/A S TER NGC6397 3 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CEN F467M none none none none 1 N/A S TER NGC6397 4 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CEN F467M none none none none 1 N/A S TER NGC6397 5 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CEN F606W none none none none 1 N/A S TER NGC6397 6 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CEN F606W none none none none 1 N/A S TER NGC6397 7 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CEN F606W none none none none 1 N/A S TER NGC6397 8 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CEN F606W none none none none 1 N/A S TER NGC6397 9 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CEN F336W none none none none 1 N/A S TER NGC6397 10 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CEN F336W none none none none 1 N/A S TER NGC6397 11 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CEN F467M none none none none 1 N/A S TER NGC6397 12 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CEN F467M none none none none 1 N/A S TER 14336( 4) - 20-Jul-2015 22:42:40 - [ 6] Visit: 04 Visit Requirements: ORIENT 290.5D TO 290.5 D; BETWEEN 12-MAR-2016:00:00:00 AND 26-MAR-2016:00:00:00 On Hold Comments: Additional Comments: Note that SAME OBSET is required to keep the 12 exposures within a single visibility period and avoid multiple GS ACQs. The use of "GS ACQ Scenario" in the first exposure has been used in previous spatial scanning programs but was not used here. If it is needed to execute properly, please contact the PI. Must execute 180 degrees from Visit 1. 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 NGC6397 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CENT F547M CR-SPLIT=NO, BIN=2, FLASH=12 1 1 S (1 S) POS TARG 0, -72; GSPAIR S ER S7CC000724F1S7CC000378F2 ; SEQ 1-12 NON-INT; SAME OBSET 1-12 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 NGC6397 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CENT F547M CR-SPLIT=NO, BIN=2, FLASH=12 1 10 S (10 POS TARG 0, -72 S ER S) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3 NGC6397 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CENT F850LP CR-SPLIT=NO, BIN=2, FLASH=12 1 1 S (1 S) POS TARG 0, -72 S ER ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4 NGC6397 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CENT F850LP CR-SPLIT=NO, BIN=2, FLASH=12 1 10 S (10 POS TARG 0, -72 S ER S) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 NGC6397 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CENT F606W 1 350 S (350 POS TARG 0, -72; SPATIAL S ER S) SCAN 0.41, 90.05 Degrees, Forward ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6 NGC6397 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CENT F606W 1 350 S (350 POS TARG 0, -72; SPATIAL S ER S) SCAN 0.41, 90.05 Degrees, Reverse ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7 NGC6397 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CENT F606W 1 350 S (350 POS TARG 0, -72; SPATIAL S ER S) SCAN 0.41, 90.05 Degrees, Forward ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8 NGC6397 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CENT F606W 1 350 S (350 POS TARG 0, -72; SPATIAL S ER S) SCAN 0.41, 90.05 Degrees, Reverse ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 9 NGC6397 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CENT F547M CR-SPLIT=NO, BIN=2, FLASH=12 1 1 S (1 S) POS TARG 0, 72 S ER ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 14336( 4) - 20-Jul-2015 22:42:40 - [ 7] Exposures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Exp | Target | Instr | Oper. | Aper |Spectral|Central| Optional |Num| Time | Special Num | Name | Config | Mode | or FOV |Element |Waveln.| Parameters |Exp| (Total) | Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 10 NGC6397 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CENT F547M CR-SPLIT=NO, BIN=2, FLASH=12 1 10 S (10 POS TARG 0, 72 S ER S) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 11 NGC6397 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CENT F850LP CR-SPLIT=NO, BIN=2, FLASH=12 1 1 S (1 S) POS TARG 0, 72 S ER ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 12 NGC6397 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CENT F850LP CR-SPLIT=NO, BIN=2, FLASH=12 1 10 S (10 POS TARG 0, 72 S ER S) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ NGC6397 1 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CEN F547M none none none none 1 N/A S TER NGC6397 2 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CEN F547M none none none none 1 N/A S TER NGC6397 3 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CEN F850LP none none none none 1 N/A S TER NGC6397 4 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CEN F850LP none none none none 1 N/A S TER NGC6397 5 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CEN F606W none none none none 1 N/A S TER NGC6397 6 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CEN F606W none none none none 1 N/A S TER NGC6397 7 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CEN F606W none none none none 1 N/A S TER NGC6397 8 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CEN F606W none none none none 1 N/A S TER NGC6397 9 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CEN F547M none none none none 1 N/A S TER NGC6397 10 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CEN F547M none none none none 1 N/A S TER NGC6397 11 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CEN F850LP none none none none 1 N/A S TER NGC6397 12 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-CEN F850LP none none none none 1 N/A S TER 14336( 4) - 20-Jul-2015 22:42:40 - [ 8] Summary Form for Proposal 14336 Item Used in this proposal ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Apertures UVIS-CENTER ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Configurations WFC3/UVIS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Opmodes ACCUM ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Optional Parameters BIN=2, CR-SPLIT=NO, FLASH=12 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Special Requirements BETWEEN 11-SEP-2015:00:00:00 AND 25-SEP-2015:00:00:00, BETWEEN 12-MAR-2016:00:00:00 AND 26-MAR-2016:00:00:00, GSPAIR S7CC000352F1S7CC000506F2, GSPAIR S7CC000724F1S7CC000378F2, ORIENT 110.5D TO 110.5 D, ORIENT 290.5D TO 290.5 D, POS TARG 0, -72, POS TARG 0, 72, SAME OBSET 1-12, SEQ 1-12 NON-INT, SPATIAL SCAN 0.41, 90.05 Degrees, Forward, SPATIAL SCAN 0.41, 90.05 Degrees, Reverse ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Spectral Elements F336W, F467M, F547M, F606W, F850LP ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Target Names NGC6397 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------