15872( 2) - 23-Jul-2019 20:51:31 - [ 1] HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE OBSERVING PROGRAM 15872 Version: 2 Check-in Time: 23-Jul-2019 20:51:31 STScI Edit Number: 0 Title Understanding an Extreme QSO: The Curious Case of SDSS 0956+5128 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Type Cycle GO 27 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Investigators Contact? PI: Dr. Charles Louis Steinhardt University of Copenhagen, Niels Bohr Y Institute CoI: Dr. John David Silverman University of Tokyo N CoI: Dr. Malte Schramm National Astronomical Observatory of Japan N (NAOJ) CoI: Dr. Rachael Alexandroff University of Toronto N CoI: Dr. Peter Lawrence Capak California Institute of Technology N CoI: Dr. Francesca Civano Smithsonian Institution Astrophysical N Observatory CoI: Dr. Martin Elvis Smithsonian Institution Astrophysical N Observatory CoI: Dr. Daniel Masters Jet Propulsion Laboratory N CoI: Dr. Bahram Mobasher University of California - Riverside N CoI: Dr. Petchara Pattarakijwanich Peking University N CoI: Dr. Michael A. Strauss Princeton University N CoI: Dr. Andreas L Faisst California Institute of Technology N CoI: Dr. Darach Watson University of Copenhagen, Niels Bohr N Institute ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Abstract SDSS 0956+5128 is an object unlike any other quasar in the SDSS catalog, and challenges our understanding of quasar broad-line regions. There is a wealth of ground-based observations on different instruments and at different wavelengths showing its narrow lines, Balmer lines, and MgII to all lie at substantially different velocities. The most promising of several possible explanations might be an analog of a tidal disruption event during the merger of two supermassive black holes, a stage of the merger process that has never been seen before. HST is uniquely able to shed substantial light on this puzzle in two ways. (1) Imaging with ACS will resolve emission from the host galaxy, determining whether the quasar emission is offset from the galactic bulge, as appears likely from ground-based Subaru IRCS AO observations, and whether the galaxy has undergone a recent merger. (2) STIS spectroscopy will be used to measure the velocity offset and profile of the CIV line, which cannot be seen from the ground. Because CIV is a higher ionization line than HB and MgII and its broad-line region is at ~1/10 the radius, it provides an ideal test of whether SDSS 0956+5128 is undergoing a supermassive black hole merger and a good indicator of the dynamics of the inner broad-line region. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Observations Description ------------------------ We will acquire high-resolution images of SDSS 0956+5128 with HST using the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) to analyze the internal structure of the host 15872( 2) - 23-Jul-2019 20:51:31 - [ 2] galaxy of a candidate for a unique object most likely to be either a recoiling supermassive black hole or extreme disk emitter. High angular resolution in combination with a stable PSF, such as can only be achieved from space, is required to disentangle the quasar and the host galaxy emission. With a plate scale 0.05" per pixel (0.36 kpc per pixel in our case) that is well matched to the spatial resolution of our NIR imaging (J, H and K) with AO from Subaru, we can not only optimize the detection of the host under the bright emission of the QSO but also reveal the central structure around the AGN. We will acquire two images using filter bandpasses (F606W and F850LP) that bracket the rest-frame 4000A break in order to accurately determine the stellar mass of the host galaxy. Based on our fit for the broad-band spectral energy distribution of SDSS 0956+5128 combining SDSS, 2MASS, WISE, and GALEX, there is a very high likelihood that HST will detect the host galaxy. Based analogous decompositions of AGN at similar redshifts in the Extended Chandra Deep Field South using the GEMS survey, one orbit should be sufficient to detect the host galaxy given the expected nucleus to host ratio (N/H 4-6 in F606W and N/H 2-3 in F850LP) in both filter bands. The lower N/H in the F850LP filter will help us determine a precise stellar mass. The total integration time will be split into 6x400 sec exposures in F606W and 2x1200 sec in F850L to avoid saturation given the observed quasar SED. We will dither the individual exposures to minimize the impact of cosmetic defects in the CCD. A total of two orbits is sufficient including overheads due to target acquisition and data readout. The PSF can be well reconstructed because there are at least two nearby stars of similar magnitude. The existing Subaru NIR K-band data will be complementary to the proposed ACS imaging. There is a clear detection of extended emission from the host galaxy outside the core region of the PSF due to the favorable N/H ratio in the NIR, and this detection will combine with the ACS imaging to further constrain the stellar mass of the host. The nearby PSF star located at a separation of 17 arcsec from the quasar and at the same separation from the laser guide star will also assist in our decomposition the AGN and its host. Spectroscopy: We plan to acquire a UV spectrum of SDSS 0956+5128 with STIS to cover the rest wavelengths 916-1855 A in order to detect the CIV emission line. Knowledge of the CIV line profile has the potential to aid us in understanding the strong differences between the other lines seen with SDSS, Keck and APO. Using the STIS exposure time calculator, we find that one orbit of integration time is sufficient to detect CIV as well as the continuum at a S/N of 10.0 per pixel. We will use NUV/MAMA with the G230L grating and a slit width of 0.5". A spectral resolution of 450 km/s will be sufficient to characterize the velocity profile of the CIV emission line given the velocity width of the MgII line. The total integration time includes all overheads. Our plan for the analysis of a deep HST/ACS image and STIS spectra of SDSS 0956+5128 in order to address the science objectives of our program can be summarized as follows: - From the ACS images, ecompose the QSO and host galaxy with GALFIT. The PSF will be modeled using stars within the ACS/WFC field. 15872( 2) - 23-Jul-2019 20:51:31 - [ 3] - Measure the host galaxy mass based on the SED after AGN/host decomposition, in order to confirm that the host galaxy and quasar point source are consistent with lying in the same system near the black hole mass - stellar luminosity relation. - Measure asymmetries in the host light distribution that may be indicative of a recent merger. - Search for an offset between an unresolved point source from the center of the host galaxy that would nail down the nature of SDSS 0956+5128 as a SMBH with a velocity kick. - Measure the CIV line profile and any offset of CIV with respect to the other broad emission lines. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 15872( 2) - 23-Jul-2019 20:51:31 - [ 4] TARGET LIST Fixed Targets ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tar| Target | Target | Target |Coord | Radial | Flux data No | Name | Description | Position |Eqnx | Vel. | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 VV2006-J0956 GALAXY, QSO, QUASAR RA=09H56M32.4866S, J2000 V = 19.24 32.5+512824 DEC=+51D28'23.78" Reference Frame: ICRS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 15872( 2) - 23-Jul-2019 20:51:31 - [ 5] Patterns ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pattern_Number: 2 Primary_Pattern Secondary_Pattern Pattern_Type ACS-WFC-DITHER-BOX Pattern_Purpose DITHER Number_Of_Points 4 Point_Spacing 0.262 Line_Spacing 0.192 Coordinate_Frame POS-TARG Pattern_Orient 18.39 Angle_Between_Sides 68.14 Center_Pattern NO ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pattern_Number: 3 Primary_Pattern Secondary_Pattern Pattern_Type SPIRAL Pattern_Purpose DITHER Number_Of_Points 6 Point_Spacing 0.262 Line_Spacing Coordinate_Frame POS-TARG Pattern_Orient 18.39 Angle_Between_Sides Center_Pattern NO ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 15872( 2) - 23-Jul-2019 20:51:31 - [ 6] Visit: 01 (ACS 850LP) Visit Requirements: 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| (Total) | Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 VV2006-J095 ACS/WFC ACCUM WFC F850LP 1 575 S PATTERN 2 1 632.5+51282 (2300 S) 4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 VV2006-J095 ACS/WFC ACCUM WFC F606W 1 347 S PATTERN 3 2 632.5+51282 (2075 S) 4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ VV2006-J095632.5+51 1 ACS/WFC ACCUM WFC F850LP 1 none none none 1 N/A 2824 VV2006-J095632.5+51 1 ACS/WFC ACCUM WFC F850LP 2 none none none 1 N/A 2824 VV2006-J095632.5+51 1 ACS/WFC ACCUM WFC F850LP 3 none none none 1 N/A 2824 VV2006-J095632.5+51 1 ACS/WFC ACCUM WFC F850LP 4 none none none 1 N/A 2824 VV2006-J095632.5+51 2 ACS/WFC ACCUM WFC F606W 1 none none none 2 N/A 2824 VV2006-J095632.5+51 2 ACS/WFC ACCUM WFC F606W 2 none none none 2 N/A 2824 VV2006-J095632.5+51 2 ACS/WFC ACCUM WFC F606W 3 none none none 2 N/A 2824 VV2006-J095632.5+51 2 ACS/WFC ACCUM WFC F606W 4 none none none 2 N/A 2824 VV2006-J095632.5+51 2 ACS/WFC ACCUM WFC F606W 5 none none none 2 N/A 2824 VV2006-J095632.5+51 2 ACS/WFC ACCUM WFC F606W 6 none none none 2 340.0 S 2824 15872( 2) - 23-Jul-2019 20:51:31 - [ 7] Visit: 03 (STIS) Visit Requirements: 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| (Total) | Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 VV2006-J095 STIS/CCD ACQ 50CCD MIRROR 1 10 S (10 632.5+51282 S) 4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 VV2006-J095 STIS/NUV ACCUM 52X0.5 G230L 2376 WAVECAL=NO 2 1150 S 632.5+51282 -MAMA (2316 S) 4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3 WAVE STIS/NUV ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 1 DEF (0 S) -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 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ VV2006-J095632.5+51 1 STIS/CCD ACQ 50CCD MIRROR none none none none 1 N/A 2824 VV2006-J095632.5+51 2 STIS/NUV ACCUM 52X0.5 G230L 2376 none none 1 none 1 N/A 2824 -MAMA VV2006-J095632.5+51 2 STIS/NUV ACCUM 52X0.5 G230L 2376 none none 2 none 1 1166.0 S 2824 -MAMA WAVE 3 STIS/NUV ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 none none none none 1 N/A -MAMA 15872( 2) - 23-Jul-2019 20:51:31 - [ 8] Summary Form for Proposal 15872 Item Used in this proposal ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Apertures 50CCD, 52X0.2, 52X0.5, WFC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Configurations ACS/WFC, STIS/CCD, STIS/NUV-MAMA ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Opmodes ACCUM, ACQ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Optional Parameters WAVECAL=NO ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Special Requirements PATTERN 2 1, PATTERN 3 2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Spectral Elements F606W, F850LP, G230L, MIRROR ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Target Names VV2006-J095632.5+512824, WAVE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------