17742( 2) - 09-Aug-2024 19:33:50 - [ 1] HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE OBSERVING PROGRAM 17742 Version: 2 Check-in Time: 09-Aug-2024 19:33:50 STScI Edit Number: 0 Title A new laboratory for fundamental AGN physics ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Type Cycle GO 32 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 A bona-fide AGN in the 1990s, Mrk 590 now flares repeatedly in a low flux 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 up to five COS spectra of Mrk 590 at different X-ray/UV 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 flow, and 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 (new and archival) observations obtained with Swift, NuSTAR, LCO and VLT we will provide a comprehensive account of the black hole accretion state changes during the early onset of AGN activity. 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, including the extreme variability seen in some objects. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 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 17742( 2) - 09-Aug-2024 19:33:50 - [ 2] 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 5 ToOs (1 orbit each), that will be triggered based on SWIFT and LCO monitoring. Mrk590 is being monitored with Swift every 10 days and with LCO every 4 days. Once the source Xray flux drops below the `2013 low', we will obtain VLT reference spectra to confirm the lack of broad lines. If broad Halpha emission is still present below `2013 low', the HST program will not be triggered until Mrk 590 fades further to a point where the optical broad lines and continuum vanish both in VLT & LCO data. This ensures that we capture the initial response of the broad-line region to a subsequent continuum increase. We reserve (up to) 3 COS ToOs to identify the threshold for no broad UV lines to be present (Limit 1) to exclude hysteresis effects (i.e. a line `afterglow'). Then, we activate VLT, LCO and HST observations when the XRT flux rises above one of two well-defined XRT flux levels, selected to be evenly spaced between Limit 1 and Limit 2, e.g. at (0.3, 0.9) x 10e11 erg/s/cm2. We have requested 4 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 cy32. The current observing strategy (see below) is based on past successful COS observations of the same sources. 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/). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 17742( 2) - 09-Aug-2024 19:33:50 - [ 3] TARGET LIST Fixed Targets ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tar| Target | Target | Target |Coord | Radial | Flux data No | Name | Description | Position |Eqnx | Vel. | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 NGC863 GALAXY, ACCRETION DISK, RA=02H14M33.5610S +/- 0.1", J2000 V = 13.81 aka Mrk590 BLR, NLR, SEYFERT DEC=-00D46'0.18" +/- 0.1" Reference Frame: Other: SIMBAD 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 3.600322351360221E-5 1.08E-4 0.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 17742( 2) - 09-Aug-2024 19:33:50 - [ 4] Visit: 01 (Non Disruptive #1) 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 NGC863 COS/NUV ACQ/IMA PSA MIRRORB 1 140 S (140 GE S) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 NGC863 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 FP-POS=ALL, BUFFER-TIME=5000 1 400 S G see below (1700 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 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ NGC863 1 COS/NUV ACQ/IMA PSA MIRRORB none none none none 1 N/A GE NGC863 2 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 none none none 1 1 425.0 S G NGC863 2 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 none none none 2 1 425.0 S G NGC863 2 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 none none none 3 1 425.0 S G NGC863 2 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 none none none 4 1 425.0 S G 17742( 2) - 09-Aug-2024 19:33:50 - [ 5] Visit: 02 (Non Disruptive #2) 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 NGC863 COS/NUV ACQ/IMA PSA MIRRORB 1 140 S (140 GE S) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 NGC863 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 FP-POS=ALL, BUFFER-TIME=5000 1 400 S G see below (1700 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 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ NGC863 1 COS/NUV ACQ/IMA PSA MIRRORB none none none none 1 N/A GE NGC863 2 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 none none none 1 1 425.0 S G NGC863 2 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 none none none 2 1 425.0 S G NGC863 2 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 none none none 3 1 425.0 S G NGC863 2 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 none none none 4 1 425.0 S G 17742( 2) - 09-Aug-2024 19:33:50 - [ 6] Visit: 03 (Non Disruptive #3) 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 NGC863 COS/NUV ACQ/IMA PSA MIRRORB 1 140 S (140 GE S) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 NGC863 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 FP-POS=ALL, BUFFER-TIME=5000 1 400 S G see below (1700 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 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ NGC863 1 COS/NUV ACQ/IMA PSA MIRRORB none none none none 1 N/A GE NGC863 2 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 none none none 1 1 425.0 S G NGC863 2 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 none none none 2 1 425.0 S G NGC863 2 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 none none none 3 1 425.0 S G NGC863 2 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 none none none 4 1 425.0 S G 17742( 2) - 09-Aug-2024 19:33:50 - [ 7] Visit: 04 (Disruptive #1) 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 NGC863 COS/NUV ACQ/IMA PSA MIRRORB 1 140 S (140 GE S) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 NGC863 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 FP-POS=ALL, BUFFER-TIME=5000 1 400 S G see below (1700 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 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ NGC863 1 COS/NUV ACQ/IMA PSA MIRRORB none none none none 1 N/A GE NGC863 2 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 none none none 1 1 425.0 S G NGC863 2 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 none none none 2 1 425.0 S G NGC863 2 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 none none none 3 1 425.0 S G NGC863 2 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 none none none 4 1 425.0 S G 17742( 2) - 09-Aug-2024 19:33:50 - [ 8] Visit: 05 (Non Disruptive #4) 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 NGC863 COS/NUV ACQ/IMA PSA MIRRORB 1 140 S (140 GE S) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 NGC863 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 FP-POS=ALL, BUFFER-TIME=5000 1 400 S G see below (1700 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 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ NGC863 1 COS/NUV ACQ/IMA PSA MIRRORB none none none none 1 N/A GE NGC863 2 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 none none none 1 1 425.0 S G NGC863 2 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 none none none 2 1 425.0 S G NGC863 2 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 none none none 3 1 425.0 S G NGC863 2 COS/FUV TIME-TA PSA G140L 1105 none none none 4 1 425.0 S G 17742( 2) - 09-Aug-2024 19:33:50 - [ 9] Summary Form for Proposal 17742 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 NGC863 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------