5849( 7) - 01/04/96 08:05 - [ 1] PROPOSAL FOR HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE OBSERVATIONS ST ScI Use Only ID: 5849 Version: 7 Check-in Date: 04-Jan-1996 07:51:38 1.Proposal Title: HOST GALAXIES OF LUMINOUS NEARBY QUASARS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2. Scientific Category 3. Proposal For 4. Cycle Quasars GO 5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5. Investigators Contact? PI: John Bahcall Institute for Advanced Study CoI: Christopher Burrows Space Telescope Science Institute Y CoI: Andrew Gould Ohio State University N CoI: Buell Jannuzi National Optical Astronomical Observatory N CoI: Sofia Kirhakos Institute for Advanced Study N CoI: Donald Schneider Pennsylvania State University N ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6. Abstract The imaging of nearby quasars in oder to measure the characteristics of their presumed bright host galaxies was one of the scientific goals used to set performance standards during the design and development of the HST. The surprising first results from our systematic program to determine host-galaxy characteristics are not consistent with the standard picture, assumed in the design standards, that quasars occur in well-developed, luminous (L^* or brighter) galaxies. No bright host galaxies were found for any of the 8 luminous quasars we have studied. For this proposal, 4-orbit exploratory exposures will be taken of the "cleanest" quasar for which the only candidate nebulosity detected in Cycle 4 was extremely faint. These observations will detect or set limits on host galaxies about as faint as the LMC. For 3 other quasars, the reality of possible faint nebulosity, including three candidate faint host galaxies, will be tested using single-orbit observations at roll angles different from those used in Cycle 4; these observations will measure the absolute magnitudes, the sizes, and the shapes of any host galaxy material found. The proposed observations will also determine the projected space density of companion galaxies near (but physically distinct from) the quasars. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5849( 7) - 01/04/96 08:05 - [ 2] Observations Description ------------------------ The proposed Cycle 5 observations will, like the Cycle 4 observations, be placed in the center of Wide Field Camera 3. The WF format is used because the host galaxies are expected to have surface brightnesses comparable to the sky. The Planetary Camera, on the other hand, would be detector read-noise limited, even in long exposures through broad-band filters, and suffers from higher scattered light background. For all of the exposures, F606W will be used because of its exceptionally high throughput. Typical dark time exposures will be 2300s; there will be repeated exposures generally at a differing roll angle for cosmic ray rejection. The most critical technical challenge presented by this project is understanding the faint wings of the PSF, a subject on which C. Burrows (Co-PI) has worked extensively. A precise characterization of the PSF is even more important than was initially believed; the unexpectedly low luminosities of the host galaxies has the consequence that even the extended wings of the PSF must be determined accurately in order to establish what features are real. The extended shape of the PSF depends sensitively upon the filter used and upon position in the focal plane. The stellar PSF was determined in Cycle 4 from a calibration series (proposal 5651, Bahcall and MacKenty) of short exposures (2.6s, 12s, and 70s, covering the range of saturation present in the quasar images) of an isolated V = 10.5 star in M67. The star was also observed at a number of locations near the center of WF3 to test for spatial variations in the PSF. Calibration exposures of M67 stars will also be required in Cycle 5 to redetermine the stellar PSF with F606W. To set limits on, or detect, galactic hosts about as faint as the LMC, we will observe our cleanest case, PG 0953+414, for 2 orbits at each of two telescope roll angles. In order to maximize the sensitivity to faint nebulosity near these two quasars, PSF measurements (i. e., short calibration images of M67) will be taken as nearly contemporaneously as possible with the long quasar observations. To test the reality of faint extended features observed in Cycle 4, we will image three other quasars , each for one orbit at two different roll angles than used in Cycle 4. The exposure times are longer than the images obtained previously. We expect to take two exposures, typically 2300s for each quasar. Real Time Justification ----------------------- Dark time is required for the wide-band F606W observations because of the low surface brightness of the nebular features. Actually, a less restrictive version of HST dark time, colloquially called "funky dark time" at STScI (P. Stanley, private communications), was successfully used for observations made on proposals 5099 and 5343 in Cycle 4 and can be used again in Cycle 5 for the follow-up dark time observations proposed here. Funky dark time is determined by the actual sky brightness, which is what affects our observations. The narrow-band observations with LRF5629 and LRF6162 do not require dark time. Calibration Justification ------------------------- The M67 F606W calibration observations do not require dark time, but they should be scheduled near in time to the long exposures of PG 0953+414 and 3C 323.1 . The reason for requiring the calibrations close in time to the actual observations is that the faint tail of the PSF changes in time due, in part, to small focusing adjustments and, in part, to phase in the cleaning cycle of WFPC2. To insure that faint extended features are not produced by optical effects in the telescope or detector, we will observe all of our targets at two different telescope roll angles (We already have Cycle 4 observations at one roll angle). We have obtained Palomar 5-m and 1.5-m CCD images of the quasars to be studied in this proposal. The data consist of exposures in the r filter on the 5-m and B, g, and i photometry on the 1.5-m. We have measured magnitudes for about 10 faint galaxies in each HST quasar field. These data provide additional validation of the photometric calibrations of our HST data, independent of the STScI-supplied calibrations. Additional Comments ------------------- Target PA_V3(cy4) Orient(cy4) cy4+135 ? When cy4-135 ? cy4+180 953-414 26.77 206.77 336-346 S (95.240) 166-176 OK 1116-215 81.29 261.29 31-41 S (95.250) 121 -131 OK 1226-023 295.25 115.25 245-255 V (96.075) 335-345 S 290-300 1444-407 311.39 131.39 261-271 OK 96.040 ? columns S--> target behind sun V--> Target visibility lacking ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5849( 7) - 01/04/96 08:05 - [ 3] Data Distribution Media: 8MM Blocking Factor: 10 Ship To: PI_Address Ship Via: UPS Email: , ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5849( 7) - 01/04/96 08:05 - [ 4] TARGET LIST a) Fixed Targets ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tar| Target | Target | Target |Coord | Radial | Flux data No | Name | Description | Position |Eqnx | Vel. | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 PG0953+414 GALAXY,QSO, RA=9H 56M 52.4S +/- 0.100S, DEC= J2000 Z = V = 14.5+/-0.2 41D 15' 23.0" +/- 1.00" 0.239 Comments: ALL RA UNCERTAINTIES ARE +/- 0.1S; ALL DEC UNCERTAINTIES ARE +/- 1.0". 2 PG1116+215 GALAXY,QSO, RA=11H 19M 8.7S +/- 0.100S, DEC= J2000 Z = V = 15.2+/-0.2 21D 19' 18.0" +/- 1.00" 0.177 3 PG1226+023 GALAXY,QUASAR, RA=12H 29M 6.7S +/- 0.100S, DEC= J2000 Z = V = 12.8+/-0.2 2D 3' 8.0" +/- 1.00" 0.158 4 PG1444+407 GALAXY,QSO, RA=14H 46M 45.9S +/- 0.100S, J2000 Z = V = 16.0+/-0.2 DEC= 40D 35' 6.0" +/- 1.00" 0.267 5 MMJ6481 STAR RA=08H 51M 11.79S +/- 0.100S, J2000 V = 10.03+/-0.1 DEC= 11D 45' 22.2" +/- 1.00" Comments: B-V=-0.073 M67 PSF standard star 6 MMJ6490 STAR RA=08H 51M 27.04S +/- 0.100S, J2000 V = 10.03+/-0.1 DEC= 11D 51' 52.7" +/- 1.00" Comments: B-V=0.11 M67 PSF standard star 7 MMJ6504 STAR RA=08H 51M 34.34S +/- 0.100S, J2000 V = 10.94+/-0.1 DEC= 11D 51' 10.63" +/- 1.00" Comments: B-V=0.22 M67 PSF standard star 8 MMJ6511 STAR RA=08H 51M 56.03S +/- 0.100S, J2000 V = 10.6+/-0.1 DEC= 11D 51' 26.66" +/- 1.00" Comments: B-V=0.34 M67 PSF standard star 5849( 7) - 01/04/96 08:05 - [ 5] Visit: 01 Visit Requirements: BETWEEN 1-OCT-1995 AND 15-NOV-1995 On Hold Comments: Additional Comments: Exposures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Exposure| Target |Instr | Oper. | Aper |Spectral|Central| Optional |Num| Time | Special Number | Name |Config| Mode |or FOV |Element |Waveln.| Parameters |Exp| | Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 10 MMJ6481 WFPC2 IMAGE WF3 F606W CR-SPLIT=NO, 1 40S SPATIAL SCAN 1 SCAN-READ=ALL, READ=3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 20 MMJ6481 WFPC2 IMAGE WF3 F606W CR-SPLIT=NO, 1 0.11S READ=3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 30 MMJ6481 WFPC2 IMAGE WF3 F606W CR-SPLIT=NO, 1 1.0S READ=3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 40 MMJ6481 WFPC2 IMAGE WF3 F606W CR-SPLIT=NO, 1 10.0S READ=3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 50 MMJ6481 WFPC2 IMAGE WF3 F606W CR-SPLIT=NO, 1 100.0S READ=3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5849( 7) - 01/04/96 08:05 - [ 6] Visit: 02 Visit Requirements: BETWEEN 1-OCT-1995 AND 15-NOV-1995 On Hold Comments: Additional Comments: Exposures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Exposure| Target |Instr | Oper. | Aper |Spectral|Central| Optional |Num| Time | Special Number | Name |Config| Mode |or FOV |Element |Waveln.| Parameters |Exp| | Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 10 MMJ6490 WFPC2 IMAGE WF3 F606W CR-SPLIT=NO, 1 40S SPATIAL SCAN 1 SCAN-READ=ALL, READ=3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 20 MMJ6490 WFPC2 IMAGE WF3 F606W CR-SPLIT=NO, 1 0.23S READ=3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 30 MMJ6490 WFPC2 IMAGE WF3 F606W CR-SPLIT=NO, 1 2.0S READ=3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 40 MMJ6490 WFPC2 IMAGE WF3 F606W CR-SPLIT=NO, 1 20.0S READ=3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 50 MMJ6490 WFPC2 IMAGE WF3 F606W CR-SPLIT=NO, 1 100.0S READ=3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5849( 7) - 01/04/96 08:05 - [ 7] Visit: 03 Visit Requirements: BETWEEN 1-MAR-1996 AND 15-APR-1996 On Hold Comments: Additional Comments: Exposures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Exposure| Target |Instr | Oper. | Aper |Spectral|Central| Optional |Num| Time | Special Number | Name |Config| Mode |or FOV |Element |Waveln.| Parameters |Exp| | Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 10 MMJ6504 WFPC2 IMAGE WF3 F606W CR-SPLIT=NO, 1 40S SPATIAL SCAN 1 SCAN-READ=ALL, READ=3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 20 MMJ6504 WFPC2 IMAGE WF3 F606W CR-SPLIT=NO, 1 0.23S READ=3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 30 MMJ6504 WFPC2 IMAGE WF3 F606W CR-SPLIT=NO, 1 2.0S READ=3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 40 MMJ6504 WFPC2 IMAGE WF3 F606W CR-SPLIT=NO, 1 20.0S READ=3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 50 MMJ6504 WFPC2 IMAGE WF3 F606W CR-SPLIT=NO, 1 100.0S READ=3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5849( 7) - 01/04/96 08:05 - [ 8] Visit: 04 Visit Requirements: BETWEEN 1-MAR-1996 AND 15-APR-1996 On Hold Comments: Additional Comments: Exposures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Exposure| Target |Instr | Oper. | Aper |Spectral|Central| Optional |Num| Time | Special Number | Name |Config| Mode |or FOV |Element |Waveln.| Parameters |Exp| | Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 10 MMJ6511 WFPC2 IMAGE WF3 F606W CR-SPLIT=NO, 1 40S SPATIAL SCAN 1 SCAN-READ=ALL, READ=3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 20 MMJ6511 WFPC2 IMAGE WF3 F606W CR-SPLIT=NO, 1 0.23S READ=3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 30 MMJ6511 WFPC2 IMAGE WF3 F606W CR-SPLIT=NO, 1 2.0S READ=3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 40 MMJ6511 WFPC2 IMAGE WF3 F606W CR-SPLIT=NO, 1 20.0S READ=3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 50 MMJ6511 WFPC2 IMAGE WF3 F606W CR-SPLIT=NO, 1 100.0S READ=3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5849( 7) - 01/04/96 08:05 - [ 9] Visit: 05 Visit Requirements: ORIENT 291D TO 301D On Hold Comments: Additional Comments: Exposures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Exposure| Target |Instr | Oper. | Aper |Spectral|Central| Optional |Num| Time | Special Number | Name |Config| Mode |or FOV |Element |Waveln.| Parameters |Exp| | Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 10 PG0953+414 WFPC2 IMAGE WF3 F606W CR-SPLIT=NO 1 6S ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 15 PG0953+414 WFPC2 IMAGE WF3 F606W CR-SPLIT=NO 1 2300S Comments: USE EARTH AVOIDANCE ANGLE OF 26 DEG ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 20 PG0953+414 WFPC2 IMAGE WF3 F606W CR-SPLIT=NO 1 2600S Comments: USE EARTH AVOIDANCE ANGLE OF 26 DEG ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 25 PG0953+414 WFPC2 IMAGE WF3 F606W CR-SPLIT=NO 1 6S ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5849( 7) - 01/04/96 08:05 - [ 10] Visit: 06 Visit Requirements: ORIENT 156D TO 166D On Hold Comments: Additional Comments: Exposures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Exposure| Target |Instr | Oper. | Aper |Spectral|Central| Optional |Num| Time | Special Number | Name |Config| Mode |or FOV |Element |Waveln.| Parameters |Exp| | Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 10 PG0953+414 WFPC2 IMAGE WF3 F606W CR-SPLIT=NO 1 6S ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 15 PG0953+414 WFPC2 IMAGE WF3 F606W CR-SPLIT=NO 1 2300S Comments: USE EARTH AVOIDANCE ANGLE OF 26 DEG ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 20 PG0953+414 WFPC2 IMAGE WF3 F606W CR-SPLIT=NO 1 2600S Comments: USE EARTH AVOIDANCE ANGLE OF 26 DEG ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 25 PG0953+414 WFPC2 IMAGE WF3 F606W CR-SPLIT=NO 1 6S ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5849( 7) - 01/04/96 08:05 - [ 11] Visit: 07 Visit Requirements: ORIENT 210D TO 220D On Hold Comments: Additional Comments: Exposures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Exposure| Target |Instr | Oper. | Aper |Spectral|Central| Optional |Num| Time | Special Number | Name |Config| Mode |or FOV |Element |Waveln.| Parameters |Exp| | Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 10 PG1116+215 WFPC2 IMAGE WF3 F606W CR-SPLIT=NO 1 12S ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 15 PG1116+215 WFPC2 IMAGE WF3 F606W CR-SPLIT=NO 1 2200S Comments: USE EARTH AVOIDANCE ANGLE OF 26D ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5849( 7) - 01/04/96 08:05 - [ 12] Visit: 08 Visit Requirements: ORIENT 171D TO 181D On Hold Comments: Additional Comments: Exposures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Exposure| Target |Instr | Oper. | Aper |Spectral|Central| Optional |Num| Time | Special Number | Name |Config| Mode |or FOV |Element |Waveln.| Parameters |Exp| | Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 10 PG1116+215 WFPC2 IMAGE WF3 F606W CR-SPLIT=NO 1 12S ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 20 PG1116+215 WFPC2 IMAGE WF3 F606W CR-SPLIT=NO 1 2200S Comments: USE EARTH AVOIDANCE ANGLE OF 26D ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5849( 7) - 01/04/96 08:05 - [ 13] Visit: 09 Visit Requirements: ORIENT 295D TO 305D On Hold Comments: Additional Comments: Exposures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Exposure| Target |Instr | Oper. | Aper |Spectral|Central| Optional |Num| Time | Special Number | Name |Config| Mode |or FOV |Element |Waveln.| Parameters |Exp| | Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 10 PG1226+023 WFPC2 IMAGE WF3 F606W CR-SPLIT=NO 1 1.4S ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 15 PG1226+023 WFPC2 IMAGE WF3 F606W CR-SPLIT=NO 1 2200S Comments: USE EARTH AVOIDANCE ANGLE OF 26D ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5849( 7) - 01/04/96 08:05 - [ 14] Visit: 10 Visit Requirements: ORIENT 160D TO 170D On Hold Comments: Additional Comments: Exposures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Exposure| Target |Instr | Oper. | Aper |Spectral|Central| Optional |Num| Time | Special Number | Name |Config| Mode |or FOV |Element |Waveln.| Parameters |Exp| | Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 10 PG1226+023 WFPC2 IMAGE WF3 F606W CR-SPLIT=NO 1 1.4S ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 20 PG1226+023 WFPC2 IMAGE WF3 F606W CR-SPLIT=NO 1 2200S Comments: USE EARTH AVOIDANCE ANGLE OF 26D ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5849( 7) - 01/04/96 08:05 - [ 15] Visit: 11 Visit Requirements: ORIENT 81D TO 91D On Hold Comments: Additional Comments: Exposures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Exposure| Target |Instr | Oper. | Aper |Spectral|Central| Optional |Num| Time | Special Number | Name |Config| Mode |or FOV |Element |Waveln.| Parameters |Exp| | Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 10 PG1444+407 WFPC2 IMAGE WF3 F606W CR-SPLIT=NO 1 26S ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 15 PG1444+407 WFPC2 IMAGE WF3 F606W CR-SPLIT=NO 1 2300S Comments: USE EARTH AVOIDANCE ANGLE OF 26D ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5849( 7) - 01/04/96 08:05 - [ 16] Visit: 12 Visit Requirements: ORIENT 306D TO 316D On Hold Comments: Additional Comments: Exposures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Exposure| Target |Instr | Oper. | Aper |Spectral|Central| Optional |Num| Time | Special Number | Name |Config| Mode |or FOV |Element |Waveln.| Parameters |Exp| | Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 10 PG1444+407 WFPC2 IMAGE WF3 F606W CR-SPLIT=NO 1 26S ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 20 PG1444+407 WFPC2 IMAGE WF3 F606W CR-SPLIT=NO 1 2300S Comments: USE EARTH AVOIDANCE ANGLE OF 26D ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5849( 7) - 01/04/96 08:05 - [ 17] Scan Paramters Form ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Data ID: 1 Exposure Logsheet lines: FGS Scan: D Dwell Only: dwell points/line: 3 Seconds per dwell: 1.00 Scan width (arc-secs): 1.1000 Scan length (arc-secs): 1.1000 Angle between sides (degrees) 90.00 Number of lines: 3 Scan rate (arc-sec/sec): 0.0000 PA of first scan line (degrees) 90.000 Scan frame (CEL or S/C): S/C Length Offset (arc-sec): 0.5500 Width Offset (arc-sec): 0.5500 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5849( 7) - 01/04/96 08:05 - [ 18] Summary Form for Proposal 5849 Item Used in this proposal ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Configurations WFPC2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Opmodes IMAGE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Optional Parameters CR-SPLIT=NO SCAN-READ=ALL READ=3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Proposal Category GO ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Scientific Category Quasars ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Special Requirements BETWEEN 1-OCT-1995 AND 15-NOV-1995 SPATIAL SCAN 1 BETWEEN 1-MAR-1996 AND 15-APR-1996 ORIENT 291D TO 301D ORIENT 156D TO 166D ORIENT 210D TO 220D ORIENT 171D TO 181D ORIENT 295D TO 305D ORIENT 160D TO 170D ORIENT 81D TO 91D ORIENT 306D TO 316D ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Spectral Elements F606W ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Target Names MMJ6481 MMJ6490 MMJ6504 MMJ6511 PG0953+414 PG1116+215 PG1226+023 PG1444+407 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------