15442( 2) - 04-Dec-2018 20:02:17 - [ 1] HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE OBSERVING PROGRAM 15442 Version: 2 Check-in Time: 04-Dec-2018 20:02:17 STScI Edit Number: 0 Title GSN 069: a recent AGN re-activation or a long-lasting Tidal Disruption Event ? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Type Cycle GO 25 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Investigators Contact? PI: Dr. Giovanni Miniutti Centro de Astrobiologia (CSIC/INTA) Inst. Y Nac. de Tec. Aero. CoI: Richard Saxton European Space Agency - ESTEC N CoI: Dr. Andrew Read University of Leicester N CoI: Dr. Beatriz Agis-Gonzalez Universite de Liege N ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Abstract We request an XMM-Newton and HST/STIS observation of GSN 069, an ultra-soft, unabsorbed, highly variable X-ray source optically classified as a Seyfert 2 AGN. Its high Eddington ratio (0.5) makes GSN 069 an exceptional high Eddington ratio 'true Seyfert 2 galaxy' candidate. The data so far suggest two possible interpretations: 1) a recent re-activation of the AGN after a period of low activity or quiescence or 2) an unusual (but not unique) long-lived outburst due to a Tidal Disruption Event (TDE). With our joint XMM/HST program we aim at clarifying the nature of this most exceptional source and derive constraints on the formation and evolution of BLR, disc winds, and AGN X-ray coronae in the first scenario, or on the nature of rare sustained TDEs in the second. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Observations Description ------------------------ We plan to perform spectroscopic observations of the Active Galactic Nucleus in the galaxy 6DFGS-GJ011908.7-341131 (a.k.a. GSN069) with the STIS-MAMA using the G230L spectral element in the NUV and the G140L one in the FUV. In both cases, we shall use the 52x0.5 aperture. Of the 3 HST orbits assigned to our program, we devote the first to the target acquisition (point-source) and to the G230L observation. The remaining 2 orbits are devoted to the G140L observations. With the HST observation, we will be able to search for high-ionization emission lines such as Civ and for low-ionization ones such as Mgii. The spectra will be used to look for weak broad components that may reveal the formation and evolution of the BLR and/or of an associated wind/outflow. The HST scheduling should ideally be coordinated with the approved XMM-Newton observation (XMM-Newton Obs.ID # 08236801, PI: G. Miniutti): we would like to observe the target with HST and with XMM-Newton as simultaneously as possible. We do not set a precise time range, as this is only a preferred scheduling, not a strict requirement. According to the HST Visit and Orbit planners and to the XMM-Newton visibility tool, opportunities do exist for simultaneous observations especially from 3 of December 2018 to 17 of January 2019. However, we stress again that simultaneous observations are preferred, not mandatory. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 15442( 2) - 04-Dec-2018 20:02:17 - [ 2] TARGET LIST Fixed Targets ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tar| Target | Target | Target |Coord | Radial | Flux data No | Name | Description | Position |Eqnx | Vel. | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 6DFGS-GJ0119 GALAXY, BLR, NUCLEUS, RA=01H19M8.6400S, J2000 Z = V = 15.5 +/- 0.5 08.7-341131 SEYFERT DEC=-34D11'30.47" 0.018186 Reference Frame: ICRS Comments: This object was generated by the targetselector and retrieved from the SIMBAD database. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 15442( 2) - 04-Dec-2018 20:02:17 - [ 3] Visit: 01 (Visit 1) Visit Requirements: On Hold Comments: Additional Comments: Visit comprising 3 orbits. The first orbit is for target acquisition and for 1 scientific exposure with G230L. The other two orbits are for two scientific exposures with G140L. 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 6DFGS-GJ011 STIS/CCD ACQ F28X50LP MIRROR 1 10 S (10 908.7-34113 S) 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 6DFGS-GJ011 STIS/NUV ACCUM 52X0.5 G230L 2376 1 2340 S 908.7-34113 -MAMA (2340 S) 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3 6DFGS-GJ011 STIS/FUV ACCUM 52X0.5 G140L 1425 1 2948 S 908.7-34113 -MAMA (2948 S) 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4 6DFGS-GJ011 STIS/FUV ACCUM 52X0.5 G140L 1425 1 2948 S 908.7-34113 -MAMA (2948 S) 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6DFGS-GJ011908.7-34 1 STIS/CCD ACQ F28X50LP MIRROR none none none none 1 N/A 1131 6DFGS-GJ011908.7-34 2 STIS/NUV ACCUM 52X0.5 G230L 2376 none none none none 1 N/A 1131 -MAMA 6DFGS-GJ011908.7-34 3 STIS/FUV ACCUM 52X0.5 G140L 1425 none none none none 2 N/A 1131 -MAMA 6DFGS-GJ011908.7-34 4 STIS/FUV ACCUM 52X0.5 G140L 1425 none none none none 3 N/A 1131 -MAMA 15442( 2) - 04-Dec-2018 20:02:17 - [ 4] Summary Form for Proposal 15442 Item Used in this proposal ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Apertures 52X0.5, F28X50LP ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Configurations STIS/CCD, STIS/FUV-MAMA, STIS/NUV-MAMA ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Opmodes ACCUM, ACQ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Optional Parameters ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Spectral Elements G140L, G230L, MIRROR ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Target Names 6DFGS-GJ011908.7-341131 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------