6601( 4) - 03/18/96 10:15 - [ 1] PROPOSAL FOR HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE OBSERVATIONS ST ScI Use Only ID: 6601 Version: 4 Check-in Date: 18-Mar-1996 10:07:55 1.Proposal Title: Evolution of Binary Neutron Stars and Their White Dwarf Companions: Part 2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2. Scientific Category 3. Proposal For 4. Cycle HOT STARS GO 6 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5. Investigators Contact? PI: Dr. Scott Lundgren Naval Research Laboratory CoI: Dr. Fernando Camilo Princeton University N CoI: Prof. James Cordes Cornell University N CoI: Dr. Roger Foster Naval Research Laboratory N CoI: Dr. Paul Ray Naval Research Laboratory N CoI: Prof. Alex Wolszczan Penn State University N ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6. Abstract We propose planetary camera imaging of 8 new binary millisecond pulsars to detect and characterize their white dwarf companions. This is part of an ongoing program in which we intend to enlarge the sample of known white dwarf companions as new millisecond pulsars are discovered. The importance of our study is four-fold. The temperatures for the white dwarfs constrain cooling models for some of the oldest and least massive white dwarfs known. The ages calculated from cooling models allow determination of recycled pulsar birth rates and populations from our sample, as well as estimation of initial spin periods (and hence mass transfer rates) for the pulsar. The masses of the white dwarfs, tightly constrained by two-filter photometry plus independent distance measurements, provide a crucial test of the stellar evolution theory which links the white dwarf mass with the current orbital period by invoking Roche lobe overflow of the white dwarf progenitor. Finally, the astrometric positions will serve as a first epoch for proper motion measurements and reference frame tie to the dynamical reference frame of pulsar timing. The velocity distribution of the population will distinguish between supernova (high kick velocity) and accretion induced collapse (low kick velocity) origins for the neutron stars. Based on the success of our Cycle 5 observations and with estimated magnitudes m_I~ 25.5 and m_V~ 26.0 for the white dwarfs in our sample, we expect that most of these sources will be detected with 1 orbit for each filter. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6601( 4) - 03/18/96 10:15 - [ 2] Observations Description ------------------------ We propose V and I filter observations of 7 new binary millisecond pulsars and V observations of a source detected in I filter in Cycle 5. These filters are chosen for consistency with our own and other ongoing HST studies of cool white dwarfs (von Hippel, Gilmore, & Jones 1995) as well as a large ground-based study (Monet et al. 1992). By scaling magnitudes of known sources of similar mass to take into account the larger distances to the new sources, we have estimated the expected magnitudes in the I and V filters (Table 1). Typical values are m_I=25.5 and m_V=26.0. Since these magnitudes are 0.5 fainter than the faintest detections in 1 orbit (split between 2 filters), we are requesting 2 orbits for each source in this cycle, one for each filter. Magnitude uncertainties of 0.1 or less are needed to derive useful constraints on white dwarf mass. However, even for sources not detected (m_V>27.5, m_I>27), these observations give useful upper limits on the temperature and hence large lower limits on the age of the system. Several of the proposers are familiar with use of IRAF and STSDAS for HST astrometric and photometric data analysis from our observations in the previous cycle. Real Time Justification ----------------------- Calibration Justification ------------------------- Additional Comments ------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Data Distribution Media: 8MM Blocking Factor: 10 Ship To: PI_Address Ship Via: UPS Email: , ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6601( 4) - 03/18/96 10:15 - [ 3] TARGET LIST a) Fixed Targets ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tar| Target | Target | Target |Coord | Radial | Flux data No | Name | Description | Position |Eqnx | Vel. | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 STAR-0034- STAR,BINARY RA=00H 34M 21.826S +/- J2000 I = 24.8+/-0.3 0534 PULSAR,PULSAR,NEUTRON 0.002S,DEC=-05D 34' 36.56" +/- STAR,STAR,LATE-TYPE 0.03" DEGENERATE 2 STAR- STAR,BINARY RA=06H 21M 22.110S +/- J2000 V = 26.5 0621+1002 PULSAR,PULSAR,NEUTRON 0.001S,DEC=10D 02' 38.77" +/- STAR,STAR,LATE-TYPE 0.06" DEGENERATE Comments: Flux is predicted value 3 STAR-1455- STAR,BINARY RA=14H 55M 47.97S +/- 0.01S,DEC= J2000 V = 25 3330 PULSAR,PULSAR,NEUTRON -33D 30' 46.2" +/- 0.2" STAR,STAR,LATE-TYPE DEGENERATE Comments: Flux is predicted value 4 STAR- STAR,BINARY RA=20H 33M 27.513S +/- J2000 V = 26 2033+1736 PULSAR,PULSAR,NEUTRON 0.009S,DEC=17D 34' 58.90" +/- STAR,STAR,LATE-TYPE 0.07" DEGENERATE Comments: Flux is predicted value. 5 STAR- STAR,BINARY RA=22H 29M 50.887S +/- J2000 V = 27 2229+2643 PULSAR,PULSAR,NEUTRON 0.001S,DEC=26D 43' 57.790" +/- STAR,STAR,LATE-TYPE 0.006" DEGENERATE Comments: Flux is predicted value. 6601( 4) - 03/18/96 10:15 - [ 4] Visit: 01 Visit Requirements: 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 STAR-0034- WFPC2 IMAGE PC1 F555W 1 2400S 0534 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 STAR-0034- WFPC2 IMAGE PC1 F555W 1 2600S 0534 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6601( 4) - 03/18/96 10:15 - [ 5] Visit: 02 Visit Requirements: 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 STAR- WFPC2 IMAGE PC1 F814W 1 2400S 0621+1002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 STAR- WFPC2 IMAGE PC1 F555W 1 2400S 0621+1002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6601( 4) - 03/18/96 10:15 - [ 6] Visit: 04 Visit Requirements: 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 STAR-1455- WFPC2 IMAGE PC1 F814W 1 2500S 3330 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 STAR-1455- WFPC2 IMAGE PC1 F555W 1 2500S 3330 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6601( 4) - 03/18/96 10:15 - [ 7] Visit: 06 Visit Requirements: 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 STAR- WFPC2 IMAGE PC1 F814W 1 2400S 2033+1736 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 STAR- WFPC2 IMAGE PC1 F555W 1 2400S 2033+1736 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6601( 4) - 03/18/96 10:15 - [ 8] Visit: 08 Visit Requirements: 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 STAR- WFPC2 IMAGE PC1 F555W 1 2500S 2229+2643 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 STAR- WFPC2 IMAGE PC1 F555W 1 2600S 2229+2643 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6601( 4) - 03/18/96 10:15 - [ 9] Summary Form for Proposal 6601 Item Used in this proposal ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Configurations WFPC2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Opmodes IMAGE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Proposal Category GO ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Scientific Category HOT STARS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Spectral Elements F555W F814W ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Target Names STAR-0034-0534 STAR-0621+1002 STAR-1455-3330 STAR-2033+1736 STAR-2229+2643 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------