7975(  1) - 04/16/98 14:02  - [  1]

    PROPOSAL FOR HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE OBSERVATIONS   ST ScI Use Only
                                                       ID:      7975
                                                       Version: 1
                                                       Check-in Date: 16-Apr-1998
                                                                      14:01:43

1.Proposal Title:
A Systematic Study of Quasar Host Galaxies
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2. Proposal For  3. Cycle
AR               7
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4. Investigators
                                                                                     Contact?
    PI: Christopher O'Dea                 Space Telescope Science Institute
   CoI: Stefi Baum                        Space Telescope Science Institute             N
   CoI: Marek Kukula                      University of Edinburgh                       N
   CoI: James  Dunlop                     University of Edinburgh                       N
   CoI: Ross  McLure                      University of Edinburgh                       N

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5. Abstract

The properties of quasar host galaxies are critical to our understanding of the
nature and life time of quasar activity. We need to know what kinds of galaxies
participate in quasar activity and how that activity (both optical and radio) is
related to the properties of the host galaxy. We propose to analyze about 1700
archival WFPC2 images of about 300 quasar host galaxies. We have developed a new
robust technique for determining the properties of the host galaxies in the presense
of a bright nucleus. We will use this two-dimensional modeling code to analyze the
data in a systematic way. Thus, for the first time, we will have a very large sample
of quasar hosts analysed in a consistent manner. We will be able to compare our
results with those of the previous investigators and address the following
questions. (1) How sensitive are the results to the analysis technique used ? (2)
How do the results depend on sample selection? and (3) What are the ``universal
truths" (independent of selection) concerning the quasar host galaxies?
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  Data Distribution

  Media:           ELECTRONIC
  Blocking Factor: 10
  Ship To:         PI_Address
  Ship Via:
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                                                7975(  1) - 04/16/98 14:02  - [  2]

            Summary Form for Proposal  7975

  Item                         Used in this proposal
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  Proposal Category            AR
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