16699( 6) - 16-Nov-2023 08:18:28 - [ 1] HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE OBSERVING PROGRAM 16699 Version: 6 Check-in Time: 16-Nov-2023 08:18:28 STScI Edit Number: 2 Title Constraining the emergent EUV ionizing emission in the reawakening monster in Mrk 590 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Type Cycle GO 29 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Investigators Contact? PI: Dr. Marianne Vestergaard University of Copenhagen, Niels Bohr Y Institute CoI: Dr. Sandra Raimundo University of Copenhagen, Niels Bohr N Institute CoI: Dr. Gisella De Rosa Space Telescope Science Institute N CoI: Dr. Daniel P. Lawther University of Arizona N CoI: Dr. Jun Yi (Kevin) Koay Academia Sinica, Institute of Astronomy N and Astrophysics ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Abstract After a 10-year hiatus, Mrk 590 has rekindled its nuclear activity and is now strongly flaring in a low X-ray state. This offers a very rare opportunity to follow in real time the onset of AGN activity that can lead to better insights on the AGN central engine physics. While directly impacting galaxy evolution through energetic feedback, the AGN structure and physics are still poorly understood. We wish to catch the early onset of AGN activity to test details of AGN accretion physics that cannot be constrained in any other way. We propose a ToO program to obtain four COS spectra of Mrk 590 at different X-ray flux levels as its AGN builds up. We will measure UV broad-line fluxes, constrain the UV and EUV ionizing continuum emission from the accretion disk, and establish the critical ionizing luminosity required for broad-line production, something that is still unknown. This allows us to test theoretical model predictions for the broad-line region physics. The efficient strategy we employ ensures that instructive constraints are obtained with a very modest HST program - yet, the full time request may not be needed. HST is the only telescope that can obtain spectra of the far-UV emission below 1900A that are crucial to reach our science goals. By combining this HST program with observations obtained with Swift, NuSTAR, XMM and VLT we will provide a comprehensive account of the black hole accretion state changes during the early onset of AGN activity as the AGN builds up. These HST/COS data will contribute with unique information to the legacy database on this intriguing object that will undoubtedly spawn new insight on AGN physics and the changing-look AGN phenomenon. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Observations Description ------------------------ We request COS low-resolution FUV observations of Seyfert 1 galaxy Mrk 590 to determine the strength of the AGN thermal disk continuum emission and the broad emission lines. Using the G140L grating with the 1105 cenwave setting (=1120-2100A) we will 16699( 6) - 16-Nov-2023 08:18:28 - [ 2] cover the Ly 1215, Nv 1240, Si iv+Oiv 1400, Civ 1549, and He ii 1640 broad emission lines in a single exposure. The resolution (R 1500-4000) is adequate to resolve the typical AGN narrow emission components; the [O III] 5007 narrow line width is FWHM~400 km s-1. The program consists of 4 ToOs (1 orbit each), that will be triggered based on SWIFT XRT and UV monitoring. Initially, Mrk590 will be monitored with Swift every 12 days. The first visit will be triggered when the XRT flux gets less than L1=0.3e-11 erg s-1 cm-2. The remaining 3 visits will be triggered once the XRT flux rises above the following limits: (0.5, 0.9, 1.3) x 10e-11 erg s-1 cm-2. Once the second orbit is triggered, SWIFT monitoring will intensify to ~daily cadence. We have requested 3 non disruptive ToOs (requested response time ~21 days) and 1 disruptive ToO (requested response time ~7 days). The disruptive ToO will be triggered only in case of rapid rise of the X-Ray and UV fluxes. We request long term status for these observations since we cannot guarantee trigger during cy29. The current observing strategy (see below) is based on previous COS observations of the same sources (e.g. PID 15448). We will update strategy, exposure time and ETC calculations as needed once visits are triggered and SWIFT UV fluxes are available. ==================================================== ACQUISITION: The target has precise 2MASS coordinates (ICRS reproduced with an error < 0.1"). We plan to use ACQ/IMG NUV MIRRORB and an exp time of 140s. For our ETC calculations we assume a flat continuum in fl normalized to half of the min observed UVW2 flux f_l ~1.1e-15 erg s-1 cm-2 Ang-1 @1928 Ang (http://etc.stsci.edu/etc/results/COS.ta.1030198/). This will ensure acquisition in case of "faint" state. The source will not pose a threat to the detector even if it ends up being 5 times more luminous than the max detected in the past 80 days (http://etc.stsci.edu/etc/results/COS.ta.1030199/). SCIENCE: We use the G140L grating at 1105Ang with FP_POS=ALL. For ETC calculations we assume a flat continuum normalized to the mean observed UVW2 flux in the past 80 days (http://etc.stsci.edu/etc/results/COS.sp.1030204/). Buffer time is set to 2/3 of the ETC buffer time. The source will not pose a threat to the detector even if it ends up being 5 times more luminous than the past 80 days (http://etc.stsci.edu/etc/results/COS.sp.1030205/). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 16699( 6) - 16-Nov-2023 08:18:28 - [ 3] TARGET LIST Fixed Targets ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tar| Target | Target | Target |Coord | Radial | Flux data No | Name | Description | Position |Eqnx | Vel. | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 NGC-863-1 GALAXY, ACCRETION DISK, RA=02H14M33.5611S +/- 0.1", J2000 V = 13.81 BLR, SEYFERT DEC=-00D46'0.18" +/- 0.1" Reference Frame: ICRS Extended: NO Comments: This object was generated by the targetselector and retrieved from the SIMBAD database. Epoch of Position RA proper motion (seconds of time/yr) DEC Proper Motion (arcsec/yr) Annual Parallax (arcsec) 2015.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 16699( 6) - 16-Nov-2023 08:18:28 - [ 4] Visit: 01 Visit Requirements: ON HOLD ; TOO RESPONSE TIME 21.0D On Hold Comments: Non disruptive ToO. Additional Comments: Observing strategy and exposure times are currently based on previous COS observations (PID 15448). We will update acq settings, exp times and ETC calculations as soon as the observations are triggered and SWIFT UV fluxes are available. 01/12/2022 GDR SWIFT flux: flambda@1928=1.12e-15 erg s-1 cm-2 Ang-1; Observing strategy is OK, no changes to observation plan (added ETC calculations). Acquisition will stil be succesful if the source gets significantly fainter, while it will not pose a risk if it gets 5x brighter (https://etc.stsci.edu/etc/results/COS.ta.1683253/) 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 NGC-863-1 COS/NUV ACQ/IMA PSA MIRRORB 1 140 S (140 GE S) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 NGC-863-1 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 FP-POS=ALL, BUFFER-TIME=5000 1 400 S G see below (1824 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 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ NGC-863-1 1 COS/NUV ACQ/IMA PSA MIRRORB none none none none 1 N/A GE NGC-863-1 2 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 none none none 1 1 456.0 S G NGC-863-1 2 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 none none none 2 1 456.0 S G NGC-863-1 2 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 none none none 3 1 456.0 S G NGC-863-1 2 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 none none none 4 1 456.0 S G 16699( 6) - 16-Nov-2023 08:18:28 - [ 5] Visit: 02 Visit Requirements: ON HOLD ; TOO RESPONSE TIME 21.0D On Hold Comments: Non disruptive ToO. Additional Comments: Observing strategy and exposure times are currently based on previous COS observations (PID 15448). We will update acq settings, exp times and ETC calculations as soon as the observations are triggered and SWIFT UV fluxes are available. 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 NGC-863-1 COS/NUV ACQ/IMA PSA MIRRORB 1 140 S (140 GE S) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 NGC-863-1 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 FP-POS=ALL, BUFFER-TIME=5000 1 400 S G see below (1768 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 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ NGC-863-1 1 COS/NUV ACQ/IMA PSA MIRRORB none none none none 1 N/A GE NGC-863-1 2 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 none none none 1 1 442.0 S G NGC-863-1 2 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 none none none 2 1 442.0 S G NGC-863-1 2 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 none none none 3 1 442.0 S G NGC-863-1 2 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 none none none 4 1 442.0 S G 16699( 6) - 16-Nov-2023 08:18:28 - [ 6] Visit: 03 Visit Requirements: ON HOLD ; TOO RESPONSE TIME 21.0D On Hold Comments: Non disruptive ToO. Additional Comments: Observing strategy and exposure times are currently based on previous COS observations (PID 15448). We will update acq settings, exp times and ETC calculations as soon as the observations are triggered and SWIFT UV fluxes are available. 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 NGC-863-1 COS/NUV ACQ/IMA PSA MIRRORB 1 140 S (140 GE S) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 NGC-863-1 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 FP-POS=ALL, BUFFER-TIME=5000 1 400 S G see below (1824 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 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ NGC-863-1 1 COS/NUV ACQ/IMA PSA MIRRORB none none none none 1 N/A GE NGC-863-1 2 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 none none none 1 1 456.0 S G NGC-863-1 2 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 none none none 2 1 456.0 S G NGC-863-1 2 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 none none none 3 1 456.0 S G NGC-863-1 2 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 none none none 4 1 456.0 S G 16699( 6) - 16-Nov-2023 08:18:28 - [ 7] Visit: 04 Visit Requirements: ON HOLD ; TOO RESPONSE TIME 7.0D On Hold Comments: Disruptive ToO. Additional Comments: Observing strategy and exposure times are currently based on previous COS observations (PID 15448). We will update acq settings, exp times and ETC calculations as soon as the observations are triggered and SWIFT UV fluxes are available. 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 NGC-863-1 COS/NUV ACQ/IMA PSA MIRRORB 1 140 S (140 GE S) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 NGC-863-1 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 FP-POS=ALL, BUFFER-TIME=5000 1 400 S G see below (1824 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 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ NGC-863-1 1 COS/NUV ACQ/IMA PSA MIRRORB none none none none 1 N/A GE NGC-863-1 2 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 none none none 1 1 456.0 S G NGC-863-1 2 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 none none none 2 1 456.0 S G NGC-863-1 2 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 none none none 3 1 456.0 S G NGC-863-1 2 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 none none none 4 1 456.0 S G 16699( 6) - 16-Nov-2023 08:18:28 - [ 8] Summary Form for Proposal 16699 Item Used in this proposal ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Apertures PSA ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Configurations COS/FUV, COS/NUV ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Opmodes ACQ/IMAGE, TIME-TAG ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Optional Parameters BUFFER-TIME=5000, FP-POS=ALL ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Special Requirements ON HOLD , TOO RESPONSE TIME 21.0D, TOO RESPONSE TIME 7.0D ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Spectral Elements G140L, MIRRORB ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Target Names NGC-863-1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------