8168( 3) - 12/03/99 10:13 - [ 1] PROPOSAL FOR HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE OBSERVATIONS ST ScI Use Only ID: 8168 Version: 3 Check-in Date: 19-Jan-1999 10:39:14 1.Proposal Title: The Optical Counterpart of the Soft Gamma-ray Repeater 1900+14 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2. Proposal For 3. Cycle GO 8 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4. Investigators Contact? PI: Shrinivas Kulkarni California Institute of Technology CoI: Dr. Marten van Kerkwijk University of Utrecht N CoI: Dr. D. Frail National Radio Astronomy Observatory N ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5. Abstract The soft gamma-ray repeaters (SGR), of which only four are known, are likely an exotic class of neutron star known as magnetars with ultra-strong surface magnetic fields (10^14- 10^15 G). We have recently detected a radio synchrotron nebula or "afterglow" toward SGR 1900+14 which is powered by the particle outflow that accompanied a period of intense high energy bursting activity. The discovery of this afterglow has allowed a sub-arcsecond position to be determined for this source. HST observations are essential to overcome the crowding which is present along this line of sight. We request STIS time to identify the optical counterpart of SGR 1900+14 in hopes that it may shed further additional light on the fascinating SGR phenomena. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Observations Description ------------------------ The observations are straightforward. We wish to image the field of the radio nebula with STIS/Clear. In two orbits and given the increased stellar background we anticipate a clear detection at V=27 (or better). This is considerably deeper than our Keck image by at least one magnitude but more importantly the STIS image will not suffer from the backgrouund confusion (relative to the 0.6 arcsec Keck image). Real Time Justification ----------------------- Calibration Justification ------------------------- Additional Comments ------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8168( 3) - 12/03/99 10:13 - [ 2] Data Distribution Paper Products: NO Media: 8MM Blocking Factor: 10 Ship To: PI_Address Ship Via: Email: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8168( 3) - 12/03/99 10:13 - [ 3] TARGET LIST Fixed Targets ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tar| Target | Target | Target |Coord | Radial | Flux data No | Name | Description | Position |Eqnx | Vel. | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 FIELD- UNIDENTIFIED, GAMMA RAY RA=19H 07M 14.33S +/- 0.01S, J2000 V = 27 190714+09192 EMITTER DEC=+09D 19' 20.1" +/- 0.2" 0 Comments: We are trying to find the SGR companion and do not know its flux in advance. We have put a best guess. 8168( 3) - 12/03/99 10:13 - [ 4] 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 FIELD-19071 STIS/C ACCUM 50CCD MIRROR CR-SPLIT=NO 1 30 S LOW-SKY 4+091920 CD ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 FIELD-19071 STIS/C ACCUM 50CCD MIRROR CR-SPLIT=NO,PATTERN=BOX,NUM-POS=4 1 1290 S LOW-SKY 4+091920 CD ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8168( 3) - 12/03/99 10:13 - [ 5] Summary Form for Proposal 8168 Item Used in this proposal ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Apertures 50CCD ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Configurations STIS/CCD ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Opmodes ACCUM ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Optional Parameters CR-SPLIT=NO NUM-POS=4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Proposal Category GO ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Special Requirements LOW-SKY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Spectral Elements MIRROR ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Target Names FIELD-190714+091920 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------