7359( 7) - 01/26/99 11:32 - [ 1] PROPOSAL FOR HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE OBSERVATIONS ST ScI Use Only ID: 7359 Version: 7 Check-in Date: 08-Dec-1998 09:35:02 1.Proposal Title: Chemical Abundances in QSO Broad Absorption Line Regions ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2. Proposal For 3. Cycle GO 7 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4. Investigators Contact? PI: Vesa Junkkarinen University of California, San Diego CoI: Ronald Lyons University of California, San Diego N CoI: Gregory Shields University of Texas N CoI: Margaret Burbidge University of California, San Diego N CoI: Edward Beaver University of California, San Diego N CoI: Ross Cohen University of California, San Diego N CoI: Frederick Hamann University of California, San Diego N ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5. Abstract We propose to obtain low resolution near--UV spectra of a sample of eight low and moderate redshift (z = 0.45 to z = 1.71) BALQSOs to determine chemical abundances in the BAL region. These observations will provide many of the column densities needed for comparison with photoionization models. Low and moderate redshift BALQSOs are useful because the absorption troughs are easier to interpret since the Lyman alpha forest is less dense at low redshifts. For these objects, most of the absorption lines of interest lie in the near--UV part of the spectrum which can only be observed with HST. Observations of other BALQSOs have suggested very high metal abundances (Turnshek et al. 1996), or moderately high metal abundances (Korista et al. 1996). Moderately high metal abundances could be the result of rapid star formation (Hamann and Ferland, 1993). HST/FOS observations of the BALQSO PG 0946+301 (z = 1.223) indicate a probable overabundance of phosphorous (Junkkarinen et al. 1995) which is too large to be consistent with rapid star formation models. The overabundance of phosphorous relative to other metals has been interpreted as due to novae (Shields 1996). These observations are designed to test the possible models for high metallicity in BALQSOs and, indirectly, test the origins of the BAL phenomenon. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7359( 7) - 01/26/99 11:32 - [ 2] Observations Description ------------------------ All of these observations will be done with the STIS G230L grating, the NUV-- MAMA, and 52*0.2 arcsecond slit. The resolution is sufficient for these broad features and the NUV--MAMA sensitivity in the region shortward of 2100Angstrom \ observed is useful for many of the interesting lines (like O III Lambda835 for most of the sources). (We considered the G230LB mode and the cleaner line spread function of the CCD would be good, but the NUV--MAMA has less background and read noise and better sensitivity at very short wavelengths). The number of sources (8) is dictated by the statistical nature of chemical enhancements as discussed in the scientific justification. For weak features, detecting an absorption feature consistently in several BALQSOs with different emisssion and absorption redshifts increases the confidence that an apparent absorption is not a mere dip between weak emission lines. The target S/N is 25 per resolution element at 2000 Angstroms observed. This is somewhat less than, but similar to, the S/N for PG 0946+301 and 0226-1024, BALQSOs for which we have successfully measured column densities for a large number of UV ions. We assume a UV slope of f_Nu \propto nu^-1.5 (f_Lambda \propto lambda^-0.5, all of these sources have spectra that are rising somewhat to the blue at the optical cutoff (~3200 Angstroms) in f_Lambda units), and use the observed B_J (or V) magnitude to estimate the flux at 2000 Angstroms. For example for 2116-4439, we estimate f_Lambda = 6 * 10^-16 ergs cm^-2 s^-1 Angstrom^-1. With a sensitivity of 1.1 * 10^14 counts s^-1 pixel^-1 per f_Lambda unit and a slit transmission of 0.69, the predicted count rate is 0.046 counts s^-1 pixel^-1. The backround is negligible for the NUV--MAMA, since for 5 pixels in the spatial direction it is only 6.25 * 10^-4 counts s^-1. For a two pixel resolution element in the wavelength direction (3.2 Angstroms), the time required for S/N = 25 is 7000s. This integration time just fits into 3 orbits (assuming a visibility of 55 minutes, GS Acq = 9m, STIS Acq = 8m, STIS peak = 5m, STIS OVHD = 8m, for the first orbit and GS Reacq = 6m and STIS OVHD = 1m for subsequent orbits giving 7260s of net integration time available in 3 orbits). Real Time Justification ----------------------- These observations will be combined with optical observations to measure lines at wavelengths longward of the atmospheric cutoff (~3100 Angstroms). We can apply for telescope time at Lick observatory and CTIO. Calibration Justification ------------------------- Additional Comments ------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7359( 7) - 01/26/99 11:32 - [ 3] Data Distribution Paper Products: Media: ELECTRONIC Blocking Factor: 10 Ship To: PI_Address Ship Via: Email: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7359( 7) - 01/26/99 11:32 - [ 4] TARGET LIST a) Fixed Targets ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tar| Target | Target | Target |Coord | Radial | Flux data No | Name | Description | Position |Eqnx | Vel. | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 CT344 GALAXY, QSO RA=1H 5M 34.77S +/- 1.0", DEC=- J2000 Z=0.848 V = 17.8+/-0.6 27D 36' 58.4" +/- 1.0", PLATE- B = 18.1+/-0.3 ID=00DA B-V = 0.3+/-0.4 2 Q1212+1445 GALAXY, QSO RA=12H 14M 40.27S +/- 1.0", J2000 Z=1.638 V = 17.6+/-0.6 DEC=14D 29' 0.1" +/- 1.0", PLATE B = 17.9+/-0.3 -ID=0590 B-V = 0.3+/-0.4 3 Q1235+1807 GALAXY, QSO RA=12H 38M 20.20S +/- 1.0", J2000 Z=0.449 V = 16.9+/-0.6 DEC=17D 50' 38.9" +/- 1.0", B = 17.2+/-0.3 PLATE-ID=00G0 B-V = 0.3+/-0.4 4 Q1239+0028 GALAXY, QSO RA=12H 42M 2.66S +/- 1.0", J2000 Z=1.214 V = 17.2+/-0.6 DEC=0D 12' 28.5" +/- 1.0", PLATE B = 17.5+/-0.3 -ID=012G B-V = 0.3+/-0.4 5 QSO- GALAXY, QSO RA=14H 36M 47.63S +/- 1.0", J2000 Z=1.560 V = 17.5+/-0.5 143648+49525 DEC=49D 52' 55.8" +/- 1.0", B-V = 0.3+/-0.4 6 PLATE-ID=00XR 6 Q2111-4335 GALAXY, QSO RA=21H 15M 6.88S +/- 1.0", DEC=- J2000 Z=1.708 V = 16.4+/-0.6 43D 23' 11.1" +/- 1.0", PLATE- B = 16.7+/-0.3 ID=04FU B-V = 0.3+/-0.4 7 Q2116-4439 GALAXY, QSO RA=21H 20M 11.61S +/- 1.0", DEC= J2000 Z=1.480 V = 17.4+/-0.6 -44D 26' 52.9" +/- 1.0", PLATE- B = 17.7+/-0.3 ID=04ZE B-V = 0.3+/-0.4 8 Q2208-1720 GALAXY, QSO RA=22H 11M 15.38S +/- 1.0", DEC= J2000 Z=1.210 V = 17.3+/-0.6 -17D 5' 24.1" +/- 1.0", PLATE- B = 17.6+/-0.3 ID=00CT B-V = 0.3+/-0.4 7359( 7) - 01/26/99 11:32 - [ 5] Visit: 01 Visit Priority: 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 CT344 STIS/C ACQ F28X50L MIRROR 1 10 S ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR CD P 2-6 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 CT344 STIS/C ACQ/PEA 52X0.2 MIRROR 1 10 S ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR CD K 3-6 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3 CT344 STIS/N ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 1 2050 S EXPAND END ORBIT UV-MAM A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4 CT344 STIS/N ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 1 2655 S EXPAND END ORBIT UV-MAM A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 CT344 STIS/N ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 1 2655 S EXPAND END ORBIT UV-MAM A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6 CT344 STIS/N ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 1 2655 S EXPAND END ORBIT UV-MAM A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7359( 7) - 01/26/99 11:32 - [ 6] Visit: 02 Visit Priority: 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 11 Q1212+1445 STIS/C ACQ F28X50L MIRROR 1 10 S ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR CD P 12-16 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 12 Q1212+1445 STIS/C ACQ/PEA 52X0.2 MIRROR 1 10 S ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR CD K 13-16 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 13 Q1212+1445 STIS/N ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 1 2000 S EXPAND END ORBIT UV-MAM A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 14 Q1212+1445 STIS/N ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 1 2600 S EXPAND END ORBIT UV-MAM A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 15 Q1212+1445 STIS/N ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 1 2600 S EXPAND END ORBIT UV-MAM A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 16 Q1212+1445 STIS/N ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 1 2600 S EXPAND END ORBIT UV-MAM A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7359( 7) - 01/26/99 11:32 - [ 7] Visit: 03 Visit Priority: 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 21 Q1235+1807 STIS/C ACQ F28X50L MIRROR 1 8 S ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR CD P 22-25 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 22 Q1235+1807 STIS/C ACQ/PEA 52X0.2 MIRROR 1 8 S ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR CD K 23-25 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 23 Q1235+1807 STIS/N ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 1 2000 S EXPAND END ORBIT UV-MAM A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 24 Q1235+1807 STIS/N ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 1 2600 S EXPAND END ORBIT UV-MAM A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 25 Q1235+1807 STIS/N ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 1 2600 S EXPAND END ORBIT UV-MAM A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7359( 7) - 01/26/99 11:32 - [ 8] Visit: 04 Visit Priority: 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 31 Q1239+0028 STIS/C ACQ F28X50L MIRROR 1 10 S ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR CD P 32-35 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 32 Q1239+0028 STIS/C ACQ/PEA 52X0.2 MIRROR 1 10 S ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR CD K 33-35 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 33 Q1239+0028 STIS/N ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 1 2000 S EXPAND END ORBIT UV-MAM A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 34 Q1239+0028 STIS/N ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 1 2600 S EXPAND END ORBIT UV-MAM A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 35 Q1239+0028 STIS/N ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 1 2600 S EXPAND END ORBIT UV-MAM A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7359( 7) - 01/26/99 11:32 - [ 9] Visit: 05 Visit Priority: 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 41 QSO-143648+ STIS/C ACQ F28X50L MIRROR 1 10 S ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR 495256 CD P 42-45 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 42 QSO-143648+ STIS/C ACQ/PEA 52X0.2 MIRROR 1 10 S ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR 495256 CD K 43-45 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 43 QSO-143648+ STIS/N ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 1 2181 S EXPAND END ORBIT 495256 UV-MAM A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 44 QSO-143648+ STIS/N ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 1 2786 S EXPAND END ORBIT 495256 UV-MAM A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 45 QSO-143648+ STIS/N ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 1 2786 S EXPAND END ORBIT 495256 UV-MAM A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7359( 7) - 01/26/99 11:32 - [ 10] Visit: 06 Visit Priority: 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 51 Q2111-4335 STIS/C ACQ F28X50L MIRROR 1 5 S ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR CD P 52-54 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 52 Q2111-4335 STIS/C ACQ/PEA 52X0.2 MIRROR 1 5 S ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR CD K 53-54 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 53 Q2111-4335 STIS/N ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 1 2149 S EXPAND END ORBIT UV-MAM A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 54 Q2111-4335 STIS/N ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 1 2754 S EXPAND END ORBIT UV-MAM A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7359( 7) - 01/26/99 11:32 - [ 11] Visit: 07 Visit Priority: 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 61 Q2116-4439 STIS/C ACQ F28X50L MIRROR 1 10 S ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR CD P 62-65 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 62 Q2116-4439 STIS/C ACQ/PEA 52X0.2 MIRROR 1 10 S ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR CD K 63-65 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 63 Q2116-4439 STIS/N ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 1 2149 S EXPAND END ORBIT UV-MAM A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 64 Q2116-4439 STIS/N ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 1 2754 S EXPAND END ORBIT UV-MAM A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 65 Q2116-4439 STIS/N ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 1 2754 S EXPAND END ORBIT UV-MAM A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7359( 7) - 01/26/99 11:32 - [ 12] Visit: 08 Visit Priority: 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 71 Q2208-1720 STIS/C ACQ F28X50L MIRROR 1 10 S ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR CD P 72-75 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 72 Q2208-1720 STIS/C ACQ/PEA 52X0.2 MIRROR 1 10 S ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR CD K 73-75 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 73 Q2208-1720 STIS/N ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 1 2000 S EXPAND END ORBIT UV-MAM A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 74 Q2208-1720 STIS/N ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 1 2600 S EXPAND END ORBIT UV-MAM A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 75 Q2208-1720 STIS/N ACCUM 52X0.2 G230L 2376 1 2600 S EXPAND END ORBIT UV-MAM A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7359( 7) - 01/26/99 11:32 - [ 13] Summary Form for Proposal 7359 Item Used in this proposal ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Apertures F28X50LP 52X0.2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Configurations STIS/CCD STIS/NUV-MAMA ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Opmodes ACQ ACQ/PEAK ACCUM ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Proposal Category GO ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Special Requirements ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR 2-6 ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR 3-6 EXPAND END ORBIT ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR 12-16 ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR 13-16 ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR 22-25 ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR 23-25 ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR 32-35 ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR 33-35 ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR 42-45 ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR 43-45 ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR 52-54 ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR 53-54 ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR 62-65 ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR 63-65 ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR 72-75 ONBOARD ACQuisition FOR 73-75 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Spectral Elements MIRROR G230L ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Target Names CT344 Q1212+1445 Q1235+1807 Q1239+0028 QSO-143648+495256 Q2111-4335 Q2116-4439 Q2208-1720 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Wavelengths 2376 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------