17222( 3) - 05-Jul-2022 12:48:16 - [ 1] HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE OBSERVING PROGRAM 17222 Version: 3 Check-in Time: 05-Jul-2022 12:48:16 STScI Edit Number: 1 Title WD Periastron Passage in the R Aqr System: Zooming on the New Ejecta and Jet ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Type Cycle GO 30 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Investigators Contact? PI: Dr. Margarita Karovska Smithsonian Institution Astrophysical Y Observatory CoI: Mr. Warren J. Hack Space Telescope Science Institute N CoI: Dr. John Charles Raymond Smithsonian Institution Astrophysical N Observatory CoI: Dr. Terrance Gaetz Smithsonian Institution Astrophysical N Observatory CoI: Dr. Vinay Kashyap Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory N CoI: Dr. Amy Mioduszewski Associated Universities, Inc. N CoI: Dr. Mark Claussen Associated Universities, Inc. N CoI: Nicholas Lee Smithsonian Institution Astrophysical N Observatory ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Abstract We propose HST observations of the R Aqr symbiotic binary system, jointly with Chandra and VLA, as a follow up on the 2020 and 2021 archival observations which show dramatic changes within 1" from the central binary resulting from the enhanced accretion during the recent periastron passage of the white dwarf (WD) accretor. These phenomena are observable in R Aqr only about twice a century, with the next periastron expected in about 40 years. Our goal is to carry out a timely high-angular resolution multi-wavelength study of this event by zooming in on the central 3" radius circumbinary region. This will allow us to determine the spatial/spectral evolution of the distribution and the characteristics of the new ejecta and jet, and to gain a unique insight into jet formation and early propagation in symbiotic and other accretion-powered systems. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Observations Description ------------------------ We request a total of 6 orbits, in 1 visit (if not possible, then in two visits within a couple of weeks from each other). The HST high-angular resolution in the spectral regions (filters) that we selected is critical for achieving the science goals of this project. It is very important to have the images at different filters obtained close in time because the R Aqr outburst and jet structures are evolving rapidly, To avoid spatial/spectral confusion of the information in the lines and the continuum we would prefer that the observations are carried in one visit. We prefer that the observations are scheduled during late Autumn 2022 to Spring 2023 when the Mira is in the vicinity of (or at) its optical minimum. The primary should have a magnitude of V less than 10.5 mag based on the 2020, 2021 and 2022 light curves. This period around minimum starts roughly 15-Nov-2022 17222( 3) - 05-Jul-2022 12:48:16 - [ 2] and goes through late-June/mid-July 2023 during which time the target visibility becomes very good. The emission from R Aqr is variable, and we will be monitoring closely the light curve and spectra using ground based hotometry/spectroscopy. Depending on when the observations are scheduled, we may need to adjust the exposures accordingly - in the time frame of about a month before the actual observations. We plan to carry out HST WFC3/UVIS imaging of R Aqr using the 4-point dither mode in several filters. This approach will allow us to reach 0.025''/pixel, and will also assist in cosmic ray removal. Combining the dithered images will result in improvement of the sampling of the PSF and will allow us to further enhance the (nominal 0.04'') resolution using deconvolution techniques such as Richardson-Lucy or EMC2 reaching 0.025''. This will nearly double the number of pixels covering the regions of interest. We also plan several long exposures to image the fainter outer lobes and determine their morphology and evolution when compared to the archival HST observations in the past decade. Most of the selected filters were used in the 2020 and 2021 archival observations, and will allow direct comparison and study of the dynamical evolution and proper motions of individual structures (inner jet, knots and blobs). The images obtained in the spectral lines will provide information on the ionization state, temperature, and density of the gas. The [CII] line will help determine the (dust) extinction and it is sensitive to carbonaceous grain-depletion. The [Ne IV] line is a good indicator of emission from a high temperature material in the system and its surrounding environment. The F343N filter will provide the [NeV] line intensity, which will indicate whether temperatures significantly higher than $10^5$ K are present. The Mg II$\lambda$2800\AA\ line has a resonant scattering component and will provide information on the ionization state of the gas. The [OII]$\lambda$3726\AA\ line is a density indicator. Furthermore, the [OII]$\lambda$3726\AA/CII]$\lambda$2326\AA\ ratio is a good indicator of temperature and density characteristics of the gas. The [SII]$\lambda$6731\AA/H$\alpha$ ratio will allow us to identify shocked vs. ionized gas emission.The [O III]4363\AA/5007\AA\ ratio gives the temperature which further constrains the shock speed and the ionizing spectrum. The F658N filter will provide an estimate the [NII] emission and also allow us to calculate the [S II]/[N II] ratio. The ratio would be suppressed in the inner regions of R Aqr, providing a density diagnostics. The H$\alpha$/H$\beta$ ratio will map the reddening along the jet and counter-jet, and perpendicularly to the jet (e.g., orbital plane). The exposure times are based on the online WFC3 ETC calculations as verified by the 2021 WFC3 observations of R Aqr. We optimize the efficiency of the observing time by using subarray readouts (1024x1024 readout) to minimize the overheads, while still providing a >=40''x 40'' field of view. Our observations include some flash exposure in order to partially remediate the effects of charge-transfer inefficiency due to the age of the detector. The Phase II proposal was generated using the latest APT based on the desired exposure times to avoid saturation and on the use of dither patterns, and makes the most efficient use of the observing time. In the event a reduced gyro mode will need to be used for this proposal, it will not have any significant impact as long as the target is in the HST 17222( 3) - 05-Jul-2022 12:48:16 - [ 3] field-of-regard when the observations need to be taken in order to catch this time-sensitive behavior of the target since we have no roll constraints for our observations. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 17222( 3) - 05-Jul-2022 12:48:16 - [ 4] TARGET LIST Fixed Targets ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tar| Target | Target | Target |Coord | Radial | Flux data No | Name | Description | Position |Eqnx | Vel. | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 V-R-AQR STAR, ACCRETION DISK, RA=23H43M49.4634S +/- 0.1", J2000 V = 10 +/- 3.0 INTERACTING BINARY, DEC=-15D17'4.18" +/- 0.1" JET, SYMBIOTIC STAR Reference Frame: ICRS Comments: This object was generated by the targetselector and retrieved from the SIMBAD database. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 17222( 3) - 05-Jul-2022 12:48:16 - [ 5] Patterns ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pattern_Number: 2 Primary_Pattern Secondary_Pattern Pattern_Type SPIRAL Pattern_Purpose DITHER Number_Of_Points 4 Point_Spacing 0.145 Line_Spacing Coordinate_Frame POS-TARG Pattern_Orient 46.86 Angle_Between_Sides Center_Pattern NO ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 17222( 3) - 05-Jul-2022 12:48:16 - [ 6] Visit: 01 Visit Requirements: BETWEEN 15-NOV-2022:00:00:00 AND 01-JUL-2023:00:00:00 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 V-R-AQR WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1K F502N FLASH=20 1 15 S (60 GS ACQ SCENARIO BASE1B3; S 1C-SUB S) PATTERN 2 1-4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 V-R-AQR WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1K F547M FLASH=20 1 2 S (8 S) S 1C-SUB ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3 V-R-AQR WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1K F373N FLASH=20 1 85 S (340 S 1C-SUB S) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4 V-R-AQR WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1K F280N FLASH=20 1 120 S (480 S 1C-SUB S) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 V-R-AQR WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1K F373N FLASH=20 2 500 S S 1C-SUB (1000 S) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6 V-R-AQR WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1K F487N FLASH=20 1 15 S (60 PATTERN 2 6-8 S 1C-SUB S) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7 V-R-AQR WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1K F343N FLASH=20 1 90 S (360 S 1C-SUB S) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8 V-R-AQR WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1K F656N FLASH=20 1 5 S (20 S) S 1C-SUB ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 9 V-R-AQR WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1K F763M FLASH=20 1 5 S (20 S) PATTERN 2 9-13 S 1C-SUB ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 10 V-R-AQR WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1K F336W FLASH=20 1 10 S (40 S 1C-SUB S) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 11 V-R-AQR WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1K F275W FLASH=20 1 200 S (800 S 1C-SUB S) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 12 V-R-AQR WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1K F658N FLASH=20 1 5 S (20 S) S 1C-SUB ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 13 V-R-AQR WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1K F673N FLASH=20 1 5 S (20 S) S 1C-SUB ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 14 V-R-AQR WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1K F502N FLASH=20 2 700 S S 1C-SUB (1400 S) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 17222( 3) - 05-Jul-2022 12:48:16 - [ 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 15 V-R-AQR WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1K F280N FLASH=20 2 180 S (360 S 1C-SUB S) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 16 V-R-AQR WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-QUAD FQ232N FLASH=20 1 145 S (580 PATTERN 2 16 S -SUB S) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 17 V-R-AQR WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-QUAD FQ243N FLASH=20 1 130 S (520 PATTERN 2 17 S -SUB S) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 18 V-R-AQR WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1K F656N FLASH=20 2 450 S (900 S 1C-SUB S) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 19 V-R-AQR WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-QUAD FQ437N FLASH=20 1 90 S (360 GS ACQ SCENARIO BASE1B3; S -SUB S) PATTERN 2 19 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ V-R-AQR 1 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F502N 1 none none none 1 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 1 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F502N 2 none none none 1 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 1 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F502N 3 none none none 1 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 1 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F502N 4 none none none 1 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 2 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F547M 1 none none none 1 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 2 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F547M 2 none none none 1 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 2 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F547M 3 none none none 1 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 2 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F547M 4 none none none 1 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 3 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F373N 1 none none none 1 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 3 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F373N 2 none none none 1 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 3 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F373N 3 none none none 1 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 3 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F373N 4 none none none 1 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 4 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F280N 1 none none none 1 N/A S K1C-SUB 17222( 3) - 05-Jul-2022 12:48:16 - [ 8] 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 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ V-R-AQR 4 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F280N 2 none none none 1 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 4 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F280N 3 none none none 1 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 4 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F280N 4 none none none 1 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 5 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F373N none none 1 none 2 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 5 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F373N none none 2 none 2 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 6 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F487N 1 none none none 2 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 6 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F487N 2 none none none 2 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 6 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F487N 3 none none none 2 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 6 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F487N 4 none none none 2 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 7 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F343N 1 none none none 2 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 7 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F343N 2 none none none 2 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 7 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F343N 3 none none none 2 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 7 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F343N 4 none none none 3 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 8 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F656N 1 none none none 2 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 8 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F656N 2 none none none 2 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 8 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F656N 3 none none none 2 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 8 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F656N 4 none none none 3 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 9 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F763M 1 none none none 3 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 9 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F763M 2 none none none 3 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 9 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F763M 3 none none none 3 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 9 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F763M 4 none none none 4 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 10 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F336W 1 none none none 3 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 10 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F336W 2 none none none 3 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 10 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F336W 3 none none none 3 N/A S K1C-SUB 17222( 3) - 05-Jul-2022 12:48:16 - [ 9] 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 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ V-R-AQR 10 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F336W 4 none none none 4 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 11 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F275W 1 none none none 3 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 11 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F275W 2 none none none 3 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 11 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F275W 3 none none none 3 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 11 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F275W 4 none none none 4 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 12 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F658N 1 none none none 3 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 12 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F658N 2 none none none 3 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 12 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F658N 3 none none none 3 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 12 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F658N 4 none none none 4 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 13 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F673N 1 none none none 3 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 13 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F673N 2 none none none 3 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 13 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F673N 3 none none none 3 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 13 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F673N 4 none none none 4 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 14 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F502N none none 1 none 4 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 14 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F502N none none 2 none 4 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 15 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F280N none none 1 none 4 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 15 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F280N none none 2 none 5 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 16 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-QUA FQ232N 1 none none none 5 N/A S D-SUB V-R-AQR 16 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-QUA FQ232N 2 none none none 5 N/A S D-SUB V-R-AQR 16 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-QUA FQ232N 3 none none none 5 N/A S D-SUB V-R-AQR 16 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-QUA FQ232N 4 none none none 5 N/A S D-SUB V-R-AQR 17 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-QUA FQ243N 1 none none none 5 N/A S D-SUB V-R-AQR 17 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-QUA FQ243N 2 none none none 5 N/A S D-SUB V-R-AQR 17 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-QUA FQ243N 3 none none none 5 N/A S D-SUB 17222( 3) - 05-Jul-2022 12:48:16 - [ 10] 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 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ V-R-AQR 17 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-QUA FQ243N 4 none none none 5 N/A S D-SUB V-R-AQR 18 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F656N none none 1 none 6 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 18 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS2-C1 F656N none none 2 none 6 N/A S K1C-SUB V-R-AQR 19 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-QUA FQ437N 1 none none none 6 N/A S D-SUB V-R-AQR 19 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-QUA FQ437N 2 none none none 6 N/A S D-SUB V-R-AQR 19 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-QUA FQ437N 3 none none none 6 N/A S D-SUB V-R-AQR 19 WFC3/UVI ACCUM UVIS-QUA FQ437N 4 none none none 6 N/A S D-SUB 17222( 3) - 05-Jul-2022 12:48:16 - [ 11] Summary Form for Proposal 17222 Item Used in this proposal ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Apertures UVIS-QUAD-SUB, UVIS2-C1K1C-SUB ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Configurations WFC3/UVIS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Opmodes ACCUM ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Optional Parameters FLASH=20 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Special Requirements BETWEEN 15-NOV-2022:00:00:00 AND 01-JUL-2023:00:00:00, GS ACQ SCENARIO BASE1B3, PATTERN 2 1-4, PATTERN 2 16, PATTERN 2 17, PATTERN 2 19, PATTERN 2 6-8, PATTERN 2 9-13 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Spectral Elements F275W, F280N, F336W, F343N, F373N, F487N, F502N, F547M, F656N, F658N, F673N, F763M, FQ232N, FQ243N, FQ437N ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Target Names V-R-AQR ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------