6461( 14) - 06/07/99 09:36 - [ 1] PROPOSAL FOR HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE OBSERVATIONS ST ScI Use Only ID: 6461 Version: 14 Check-in Date: 07-Jun-1999 09:35:27 1.Proposal Title: High-resolution imagery of the next bright Galactic nova ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2. Proposal For 3. Cycle GO 6 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4. Investigators Contact? PI: Michael Shara Space Telescope Science Institute CoI: Mario Livio Space Telescope Science Institute N CoI: Dina Prialnik Tel-Aviv University N CoI: Robert Williams Space Telescope Science Institute N CoI: David Zurek Space Telescope Science Institute N ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5. Abstract The recurrent nova T Pyxidis is one of only ~20 novae with known shells, and the only recurrent nova with clearly resolved circumstellar matter. A unique and once- only opportunity will exist during T Pyxidis' next eruption (now overdue) to determine: 1) The uniformity and isotropy of material (both dust and different chemical elements) ejected in previous eruptions, and 2) The smallest structures formed in nova eruptions. We propose to use WFPC2 to image T Pyx after it erupts to search for fluorescence and reflection light echoes from, and small-scale structure in, the nova circumstellar gas and dust ejecta. Only two novae are presently known to have a highly structured shell that can be defined as ``very'' clumpy. These novae are GK Per (known from the ground) and T Pyx (HST cycle 4 WFPC2 images). It's unclear if this structure is common to all nova shells or, if it is, how the structure is created. Though T Pyx is ``overdue'' it may take several years before it goes off a gain. We therefore propose to use the TOO time, if allocated, to follow the eruption of the next bright Galactic nova with WFPC2 (if T Pyx does not erupt) to determine how quickly the ejecta of a nova becomes clumpy. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6461( 14) - 06/07/99 09:36 - [ 2] Observations Description ------------------------ Should T Pyx erupt during cycle 6, we request that (as soon as possible) we image for 3 orbits in the narrowband filters of Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen and Helium as well as blue and red broadband filters. We then request that T Pyx be reobserved for 3 orbits one week later, 3 weeks later, 7 weeks later, 16 weeks later, 24 weeks later and then every six months for the next 2 years. If a bright Galactic nova erupts (and T Pyx has not yet erupted) then we request that this nova be acquired ~2 to 3 weeks after maximum and be imaged for 3 orbits with the same filters as T Pyx. We then request that the nova be reimaged about once every 3 to 4 months to monitor the ejecta development. Real Time Justification ----------------------- T Pyx is overdue to erupt. Should T Pyx erupt in cycle 6 we request that HST begin observations as soon as possible (ie. ~4 days). A bright Galactic nova (m_max <~ 7) occurs every few years and thus it is quite likely that such an event will occur during cycle 6. We request that once a bright Galactic nova has erupted that HST observations begin within two weeks of maximum light. none Calibration Justification ------------------------- Additional Comments ------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Data Distribution Paper Products: NO Media: 8MM Blocking Factor: 10 Ship To: PI_Address Ship Via: Email: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6461( 14) - 06/07/99 09:36 - [ 3] TARGET LIST a) Fixed Targets ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tar| Target | Target | Target |Coord | Radial | Flux data No | Name | Description | Position |Eqnx | Vel. | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 U-SCORPII STAR, RECURRENT NOVA RA=16H 22M 30.78S +/- .05S, DEC= J2000 V = 9.0+/-1.0 -17D 52' 42.3" +/- .2" B-V = 0.0+/-0.5 E(B-V) = 0.24+/-0.05 Comments: U Sco has been seen in eruption (IAUC: 7113) at Feb 25.194 UT (V=9.5), Feb 25.562 UT (V=7.6) and Feb 25.625 UT (V=8.0). 6461( 14) - 06/07/99 09:36 - [ 4] Visit: 01 Visit Priority: Visit Requirements: PCS MODE FINE 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 U-SCORPII WFPC2 IMAGE PC1-FIX F656N CR-SPLIT=NO 2 2 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 U-SCORPII WFPC2 IMAGE PC1-FIX F656N CR-SPLIT=NO 2 40 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3 U-SCORPII WFPC2 IMAGE PC1-FIX F656N CR-SPLIT=NO 2 800 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6461( 14) - 06/07/99 09:36 - [ 5] Visit: 02 Visit Priority: Visit Requirements: PCS MODE FINE ORIENT 8D TO 15D FROM 01 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 U-SCORPII WFPC2 IMAGE PC1-FIX F656N CR-SPLIT=NO 2 2 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 U-SCORPII WFPC2 IMAGE PC1-FIX F656N CR-SPLIT=NO 2 40 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3 U-SCORPII WFPC2 IMAGE PC1-FIX F656N CR-SPLIT=NO 2 800 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6461( 14) - 06/07/99 09:36 - [ 6] Visit: 03 Visit Priority: Visit Requirements: PCS MODE FINE 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 U-SCORPII STIS/C ACQ F25ND3 MIRROR ACQTYPE=POINT 1 0.5 S ONBOARD ACQ FOR 2, 3, 4, CD 5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 U-SCORPII STIS/C ACCUM 52X0.2 G430L 4300 CR-SPLIT=NO 3 3 S CD ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3 U-SCORPII STIS/C ACCUM 52X0.2 G230LB 2375 CR-SPLIT=NO 3 30 S CD ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4 U-SCORPII STIS/C ACCUM 52X0.2 G230MB 1713 CR-SPLIT=NO 3 180 S CD ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 U-SCORPII STIS/C ACCUM 52X0.2 G750L 7751 CR-SPLIT=NO 3 2 S CD ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6 CCDFLAT STIS/C ACCUM 52X0.2 G750L 7751 2 DEF CD ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6461( 14) - 06/07/99 09:36 - [ 7] Visit: 04 Visit Priority: Visit Requirements: PCS MODE FINE 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 U-SCORPII STIS/C ACQ F25ND3 MIRROR ACQTYPE=POINT 1 0.5 S ONBOARD ACQ FOR 2 CD ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 U-SCORPII STIS/C ACCUM 52X0.2 G750M 6581 CR-SPLIT=NO 27 15 S CD ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6461( 14) - 06/07/99 09:36 - [ 8] Visit: 05 Visit Priority: Visit Requirements: PCS MODE FINE 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 U-SCORPII WFPC2 IMAGE PC1-FIX F656N CR-SPLIT=NO 2 2 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 U-SCORPII WFPC2 IMAGE PC1-FIX F656N CR-SPLIT=NO 2 40 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3 U-SCORPII WFPC2 IMAGE PC1-FIX F656N CR-SPLIT=NO 2 800 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6461( 14) - 06/07/99 09:36 - [ 9] Visit: 06 Visit Priority: Visit Requirements: PCS MODE FINE ORIENT 8D TO 15D FROM 05 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 U-SCORPII WFPC2 IMAGE PC1-FIX F656N CR-SPLIT=NO 2 2 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 U-SCORPII WFPC2 IMAGE PC1-FIX F656N CR-SPLIT=NO 2 40 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3 U-SCORPII WFPC2 IMAGE PC1-FIX F656N CR-SPLIT=NO 2 800 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6461( 14) - 06/07/99 09:36 - [ 10] Visit: 07 Visit Priority: Visit Requirements: PCS MODE FINE 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 U-SCORPII STIS/C ACQ F28X50L MIRROR ACQTYPE=POINT 1 0.5 S ONBOARD ACQ FOR 2, 3, 4 CD P ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 U-SCORPII STIS/C ACCUM 52X0.2 G430L 4300 CR-SPLIT=NO 2 215 S CD ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3 U-SCORPII STIS/C ACCUM 52X0.2 G230LB 2375 CR-SPLIT=NO 2 410 S CD ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4 U-SCORPII STIS/C ACCUM 52X0.2 G750L 7751 CR-SPLIT=NO 2 280 S CD ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 CCDFLAT STIS/C ACCUM 52X0.2 G750L 7751 2 DEF CD ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6461( 14) - 06/07/99 09:36 - [ 11] Visit: 08 Visit Priority: Visit Requirements: PCS MODE FINE 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 U-SCORPII STIS/C ACQ F28X50L MIRROR ACQTYPE=POINT 1 0.5 S ONBOARD ACQ FOR 2 CD P ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 U-SCORPII STIS/C ACCUM 52X0.2 G750M 6581 CR-SPLIT=NO 24 30 S CD ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6461( 14) - 06/07/99 09:36 - [ 12] Visit: 09 Visit Priority: Visit Requirements: PCS MODE FINE AFTER 05 BY 14 D TO 28 D 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3 U-SCORPII WFPC2 IMAGE PC1-FIX F656N CR-SPLIT=0.5 1 2400 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6461( 14) - 06/07/99 09:36 - [ 13] Visit: 10 Visit Priority: Visit Requirements: PCS MODE FINE On Hold Comments: Additional Comments: Note: USco will have faded to > 15th Mag in V by the time the first opportunity to observe arrives. It will be safe to observe with the MAMA's and gratings chosen. The expected fluxes are @3000 Angstroms ~7e-15, @2000 Angstroms ~1e-14 and @1300 Angstroms ~2e-14 Exposures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Exposure| Target |Instr | Oper. | Aper |Spectral|Central| Optional |Num| Time | Special Number | Name |Config| Mode |or FOV |Element |Waveln.| Parameters |Exp| | Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 U-SCORPII STIS/C ACQ F28X50L MIRROR ACQTYPE=POINT 1 0.5 S ONBOARD ACQ FOR 2, 3 CD P ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 U-SCORPII STIS/N ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 CR-SPLIT=NO 4 130 S UV-MAM A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3 U-SCORPII STIS/F ACCUM 52X0.2 G140L 1425 CR-SPLIT=NO 4 300 S UV-MAM A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6461( 14) - 06/07/99 09:36 - [ 14] Visit: 11 Visit Priority: Visit Requirements: PCS MODE FINE AFTER 09 BY 14 D TO 28 D 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3 U-SCORPII WFPC2 IMAGE PC1-FIX F656N CR-SPLIT=0.5 1 2400 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6461( 14) - 06/07/99 09:36 - [ 15] Visit: 12 Visit Priority: Visit Requirements: PCS MODE FINE AFTER 10 BY 14 D TO 28 D On Hold Comments: Additional Comments: Note: USco will have faded to > 15th Mag in V by the time the first opportunity to observe arrives. It will be safe to observe with the MAMA's and gratings chosen. Exposures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Exposure| Target |Instr | Oper. | Aper |Spectral|Central| Optional |Num| Time | Special Number | Name |Config| Mode |or FOV |Element |Waveln.| Parameters |Exp| | Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 U-SCORPII STIS/C ACQ F28X50L MIRROR ACQTYPE=POINT 1 0.5 S ONBOARD ACQ FOR 2, 3 CD P ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 U-SCORPII STIS/N ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 CR-SPLIT=NO 4 130 S UV-MAM A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3 U-SCORPII STIS/F ACCUM 52X0.2 G140L 1425 CR-SPLIT=NO 4 300 S UV-MAM A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6461( 14) - 06/07/99 09:36 - [ 16] Visit: 13 Visit Priority: Visit Requirements: PCS MODE FINE BETWEEN 15-MAY-1999 AND 4-JUN-1999 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3 U-SCORPII WFPC2 IMAGE PC1-FIX F656N CR-SPLIT=0.5 1 2400 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6461( 14) - 06/07/99 09:36 - [ 17] Visit: 14 Visit Priority: Visit Requirements: PCS MODE FINE AFTER 13 BY 28 D TO 48 D 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3 U-SCORPII WFPC2 IMAGE PC1-FIX F656N CR-SPLIT=0.5 1 2400 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6461( 14) - 06/07/99 09:36 - [ 18] Visit: 15 Visit Priority: Visit Requirements: PCS MODE FINE AFTER 14 BY 48 D TO 68 D 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3 U-SCORPII WFPC2 IMAGE PC1-FIX F656N CR-SPLIT=0.5 1 2400 S ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6461( 14) - 06/07/99 09:36 - [ 19] Summary Form for Proposal 6461 Item Used in this proposal ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Apertures PC1-FIX F25ND3 52X0.2 F28X50LP ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Configurations WFPC2 STIS/CCD STIS/NUV-MAMA STIS/FUV-MAMA ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Opmodes IMAGE ACQ ACCUM ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Optional Parameters CR-SPLIT=NO ACQTYPE=POINT CR-SPLIT=0.5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Proposal Category GO ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Special Requirements PCS MODE FINE PCS MODE FINE ORIENT 8D TO 15D FROM 01 ONBOARD ACQ FOR 2, 3, 4, 5 ONBOARD ACQ FOR 2 PCS MODE FINE ORIENT 8D TO 15D FROM 05 ONBOARD ACQ FOR 2, 3, 4 PCS MODE FINE AFTER 05 BY 14 D TO 28 D ONBOARD ACQ FOR 2, 3 PCS MODE FINE AFTER 09 BY 14 D TO 28 D PCS MODE FINE AFTER 10 BY 14 D TO 28 D PCS MODE FINE BETWEEN 15-MAY-1999 AND 4-JUN-1999 PCS MODE FINE AFTER 13 BY 28 D TO 48 D PCS MODE FINE AFTER 14 BY 48 D TO 68 D ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Spectral Elements F656N MIRROR G430L G230LB G230MB G750L G750M G230L G140L ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Target Names U-SCORPII CCDFLAT ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Wavelengths 4300 2375 1713 7751 6581 2376 1425 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------