8190( 6) - 01/27/00 18:31 - [ 1] PROPOSAL FOR HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE OBSERVATIONS ST ScI Use Only ID: 8190 Version: 6 Check-in Date: 27-Jan-2000 18:28:57 1.Proposal Title: The Nuclei of `Warm' Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxies -- Superstarbursts or AGN ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2. Proposal For 3. Cycle GO 8 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4. Investigators Contact? PI: David Sanders University of Hawaii CoI: Dr. Jason Surace California Institute of Technology Y CoI: Dr. William Vacca University of Hawaii N CoI: Dr. Sylvain Veilleux University of Maryland N CoI: Dr. Joshua Barnes University of Hawaii N ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5. Abstract We propose high resolution spectroscopy with STIS of four of the nearest `warm' ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIGs) that were discovered in the IRAS database, and for which we have recently obtained WFPC2 images in B, I filters. These objects are thought to represent a critical evolutionary link between ULIGs and optically selected QSOs. Recent observations also suggest that these objects were much more numerous at high redshifts (z = 1-4), and that they may account for a substantial fraction of the far-infrared/submillimeter as well as X-Ray background.. Our Cycle 5 PC observations show that the nuclear regions (<1-2^ ) of all of these objects appear to contain a population of massive star clusters (M ~ 10^6- 10^8\ M_\odot), plus one or two `super knots' that are either the most massive star clusters yet observed (M > 10^10 M_\odot .), or emerging AGN. A single STIS slit position (0.2^ width) will allow us to simultaneously observe these `super knots' as well as spatially separate out the emission from a few of the surrounding less-luminous star clusters that will also fall in the slit. Use of the G140L, G470L, and G750L gratings will allow us to employ a very broad range of diagnostic lines that can be used to more precisely determine the mass and age of star clusters, to search for broad Sy 1 emission line wings, as well as measure the excitation properties of any putative AGN that might be present. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8190( 6) - 01/27/00 18:31 - [ 2] Observations Description ------------------------ With the superior spatial resolution of HST, we can spatially separate the nuclei observed in the PC2 frames from the surrounding (presumably stellar cluster) knots. We propose to use a slit width of 0.2^ centered on the nucleus and aligned to cover several of the brightest off-nuclear knots in each galaxy. The far ultraviolet spectral range covered by the G140L grating (1150--1730 Angstrom) contains a number of the most useful diagnostics that can be used to distinguish between excitation by massive stars and excitation by an AGN. The distinguishing spectral features of stars are their absorption features (both pure absorption and the blue- shifted wings of P-Cygni profiles). Detection of such absorption features requires good S/N in the spectral continuum. This is particularly true if there is an AGN component to the UV spectrum which will add broad emission lines on top of, or close to, the stellar features. Based on our previous experience with UV spectra of stellar systems we estimate that we need a S/N of at least 10 in order to be able to measure reliably the absorption features (both stellar and interstellar). Previous HST observations of these systems indicate that the nuclei have B~19, while moderate resolution ground-based observations yield U-B=-0.3 to -0.9 for these knots. Assuming that a power law spectrum, with an index of Alpha=-1 (where F_Lambda ~ lambda^Alpha) to match the observed U-B color, continues into the ultraviolet, we used the STIS exposure time calculator to estimate the time required to reach a S/N of 10. We found that we will require ~ 4500 - 7500 sec with the G140L grating, thus we are requesting two orbits per object in the FUV. We are also proposing to obtain spectra with both the G430L and G750L gratings in order to cover the entire optical wavelength range for each slit position. The wide wavelength coverage (~ 2900 - 11000Angstrom) will provide us with a sufficient number of emission and absorption line diagnostics that can be used to constrain the physical properties for both the nuclei and the knots. We estimate that we need a S/N of about 20 in order to detect the weak Fe features and the broad weak Balmer wings indicative of Seyfert 1 activity; weak nebular lines needed for an abundance analysis require a similar S/N. Using the exposure time simulator for STIS we estimate that S/N~20 can be achieved in an exposure time of one orbit or less for any objects brighter than B=21 (i.e. the putative nuclei and typically the brightest few clusters in each object). Therefore we are requesting two orbits per object, one orbit each for the G430L and the G750L grating. Real Time Justification ----------------------- None Over the past five years we have vigorously pursued ground- based optical and near infrared imaging and spectroscopy of the full sample of luminous infrared galaxies (~60 objects) that we believe may be precursors of infrared quasars, as well as complementary observations of our complete sample of infrared quasars in this proposal. Specifically, all of the objects in our current list were imaged (B, V, R, I, J, H, K) using the University of Hawaii 2.2m telescope on Mauna Kea (Surace 1998), and most recently with WFPC2 in Cycle 5 (Surace et al. 1998). One of our targets has also been imaged (J, H, K) using NICMOS. We have also obtained high-quality optical (4000-- 8500Angstrom) long slit spectra (Kim et al. 1995; Veilleux et al. 1998) using the UH2.2m telescope. We also have proposed to obtain radio continuum images with the VLA, and millimeterwave interferometry at OVRO, as well as submillimeter continuum images with the JCMT on Mauna Kea. Calibration Justification ------------------------- Real_Time_Justification Additional Comments ------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8190( 6) - 01/27/00 18:31 - [ 3] Data Distribution Paper Products: NO Media: ELECTRONIC Blocking Factor: 10 Ship To: PI_Address Ship Via: Email: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8190( 6) - 01/27/00 18:31 - [ 4] TARGET LIST Fixed Targets ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tar| Target | Target | Target |Coord | Radial | Flux data No | Name | Description | Position |Eqnx | Vel. | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 IRAS0100-22 GALAXY, ULTRALUMINOUS RA=01H02M49.9S+/-0.2S, DEC=- J2000 V=+35280 V = 18.8+/-0.3 IR GAL 22D21'56.0"+/- 0.2", PLATE- B-V = .37 ID=011P E(B-V) = 0.33 2 IRAS0518-25 GALAXY, ULTRALUMINOUS RA=05H21M01.29S+/-0.2S, DEC=- J2000 V=+12816 V = 17.2+/-0.3 IR GAL 25D21'45.04"+/- 0.5", PLATE- B-V = 0.9 ID=049Y E(B-V) = 0.7 3 IRAS1207-04 GALAXY, ULTRALUMINOUS RA=12H 09M 45.14S +/- 0.2S, DEC= J2000 V=+38400 V = 20.3+/-0.3 IR GAL -05D 01' 14.2" +/- 0.2", PLATE- B-V = 1.0 ID=03O9 E(B-V) = 0.8 4 IRAS1520+33 GALAXY, ULTRALUMINOUS RA=15H22M38.11S+/-0.2S, J2000 V=+37550 V = 18.3 IR GAL DEC=33D31'36.49"+/-0.2", PLATE- B-V = 0.74 ID=01RV E(B-V) = 0.65 8190( 6) - 01/27/00 18:31 - [ 5] Visit: 01 Visit Priority: Visit Requirements: ORIENT 91.2D TO 99.2D ORIENT 271.2D TO 279.2D On Hold Comments: Additional Comments: Orientation +180 degrees opposite ok as well Exposures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Exposure| Target |Instr | Oper. | Aper |Spectral|Central| Optional |Num| Time | Special Number | Name |Config| Mode |or FOV |Element |Waveln.| Parameters |Exp| | Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 IRAS0100-22 STIS/C ACQ F28X50L MIRROR 1 3 S ONBOARD ACQ FOR 2, 3, 4, CD P 6, 7 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 IRAS0100-22 STIS/C ACCUM 52X0.2 G430L 4300 CR-SPLIT=NO,PATTERN=ALONG-SLIT, 1 720 S CD NUM-POS=2,STEP-SIZE=0.127 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3 IRAS0100-22 STIS/C ACCUM 52X0.2 G430L 4300 CR-SPLIT=NO,PATTERN=ALONG-SLIT, 1 650 S CD NUM-POS=2,STEP-SIZE=0.127 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4 IRAS0100-22 STIS/C ACCUM 52X0.2 G750L 7751 CR-SPLIT=NO,PATTERN=ALONG-SLIT, 1 624 S CD NUM-POS=3,STEP-SIZE=0.15213 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 CCDFLAT STIS/C ACCUM 52X0.2 G750L 7751 2 12.5 S CD ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6 IRAS0100-22 STIS/F ACCUM 52X0.2 G140L 1425 PATTERN=ALONG-SLIT,NUM-POS=3, 1 900 S UV-MAM STEP-SIZE=0.049 A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7 IRAS0100-22 STIS/F ACCUM 52X0.2 G140L 1425 PATTERN=ALONG-SLIT,NUM-POS=3, 1 920 S UV-MAM STEP-SIZE=0.0735 A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8190( 6) - 01/27/00 18:31 - [ 6] Visit: 02 Visit Priority: Visit Requirements: ORIENT 2.1D TO 11.9D ORIENT 182.1D TO 191.9D On Hold Comments: Additional Comments: Orientation +180 degrees opposite ok as well Exposures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Exposure| Target |Instr | Oper. | Aper |Spectral|Central| Optional |Num| Time | Special Number | Name |Config| Mode |or FOV |Element |Waveln.| Parameters |Exp| | Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 IRAS0518-25 STIS/C ACQ F28X50L MIRROR 1 4 S ONBOARD ACQ FOR 2, 3, 4, CD P 6, 7 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 IRAS0518-25 STIS/C ACCUM 52X0.2 G430L 4300 CR-SPLIT=NO,PATTERN=ALONG-SLIT, 1 720 S CD NUM-POS=2,STEP-SIZE=0.127 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3 IRAS0518-25 STIS/C ACCUM 52X0.2 G430L 4300 CR-SPLIT=NO,PATTERN=ALONG-SLIT, 1 650 S CD NUM-POS=2,STEP-SIZE=0.127 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4 IRAS0518-25 STIS/C ACCUM 52X0.2 G750L 7751 CR-SPLIT=NO,PATTERN=ALONG-SLIT, 1 624 S CD NUM-POS=3,STEP-SIZE=0.15213 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 CCDFLAT STIS/C ACCUM 52X0.2 G750L 7751 2 12.5 S CD ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6 IRAS0518-25 STIS/F ACCUM 52X0.2 G140L 1425 PATTERN=ALONG-SLIT,NUM-POS=3, 1 900 S UV-MAM STEP-SIZE=0.049 A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7 IRAS0518-25 STIS/F ACCUM 52X0.2 G140L 1425 PATTERN=ALONG-SLIT,NUM-POS=3, 1 920 S UV-MAM STEP-SIZE=0.0735 A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8190( 6) - 01/27/00 18:31 - [ 7] Visit: 03 Visit Priority: Visit Requirements: ORIENT 138.3D TO 145.5D ORIENT 318.3D TO 325.5D On Hold Comments: Additional Comments: Orientation +180 degrees opposite ok as well Exposures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Exposure| Target |Instr | Oper. | Aper |Spectral|Central| Optional |Num| Time | Special Number | Name |Config| Mode |or FOV |Element |Waveln.| Parameters |Exp| | Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 IRAS1207-04 STIS/C ACQ F28X50L MIRROR 1 20 S ONBOARD ACQ for 2, 3, 4, CD P 6, 7 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 IRAS1207-04 STIS/C ACCUM 52X0.2 G430L 4300 CR-SPLIT=NO,PATTERN=ALONG-SLIT, 1 720 S CD NUM-POS=2,STEP-SIZE=0.127 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3 IRAS1207-04 STIS/C ACCUM 52X0.2 G430L 4300 CR-SPLIT=NO,PATTERN=ALONG-SLIT, 1 650 S CD NUM-POS=2,STEP-SIZE=0.127 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4 IRAS1207-04 STIS/C ACCUM 52X0.2 G750L 7751 CR-SPLIT=NO,PATTERN=ALONG-SLIT, 1 624 S CD NUM-POS=3,STEP-SIZE=0.15213 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 CCDFLAT STIS/C ACCUM 52X0.2 G750L 7751 2 12.5 S CD ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6 IRAS1207-04 STIS/F ACCUM 52X0.2 G140L 1425 PATTERN=ALONG-SLIT,NUM-POS=3, 1 900 S UV-MAM STEP-SIZE=0.049 A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7 IRAS1207-04 STIS/F ACCUM 52X0.2 G140L 1425 PATTERN=ALONG-SLIT,NUM-POS=3, 1 920 S UV-MAM STEP-SIZE=0.0735 A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8190( 6) - 01/27/00 18:31 - [ 8] Visit: 04 Visit Priority: Visit Requirements: ORIENT 80.3D TO 83.7D ORIENT 260.3D TO 263.7D On Hold Comments: Additional Comments: Orientation +180 degrees opposite ok as well Exposures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Exposure| Target |Instr | Oper. | Aper |Spectral|Central| Optional |Num| Time | Special Number | Name |Config| Mode |or FOV |Element |Waveln.| Parameters |Exp| | Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 IRAS1520+33 STIS/C ACQ F28X50L MIRROR 1 6 S ONBOARD ACQ FOR 2, 3, 4, CD P 6, 7 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 IRAS1520+33 STIS/C ACCUM 52X0.2 G430L 4300 CR-SPLIT=NO,PATTERN=ALONG-SLIT, 1 720 S CD NUM-POS=2,STEP-SIZE=0.127 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3 IRAS1520+33 STIS/C ACCUM 52X0.2 G430L 4300 CR-SPLIT=NO,PATTERN=ALONG-SLIT, 1 650 S CD NUM-POS=2,STEP-SIZE=0.127 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4 IRAS1520+33 STIS/C ACCUM 52X0.2 G750L 7751 CR-SPLIT=NO,PATTERN=ALONG-SLIT, 1 624 S CD NUM-POS=3,STEP-SIZE=0.15213 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 CCDFLAT STIS/C ACCUM 52X0.2 G750L 7751 2 12.5 S CD ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6 IRAS1520+33 STIS/F ACCUM 52X0.2 G140L 1425 PATTERN=ALONG-SLIT,NUM-POS=3, 1 900 S UV-MAM STEP-SIZE=0.049 A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7 IRAS1520+33 STIS/F ACCUM 52X0.2 G140L 1425 PATTERN=ALONG-SLIT,NUM-POS=3, 1 920 S UV-MAM STEP-SIZE=0.0735 A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8190( 6) - 01/27/00 18:31 - [ 9] Summary Form for Proposal 8190 Item Used in this proposal ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Apertures F28X50LP 52X0.2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Configurations STIS/CCD STIS/FUV-MAMA ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Opmodes ACQ ACCUM ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Optional Parameters CR-SPLIT=NO PATTERN=ALONG-SLIT NUM-POS=2 STEP-SIZE=0.127 STEP-SIZE=0.15213 STEP-SIZE=0.049 STEP-SIZE=0.0735 NUM-POS=3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Proposal Category GO ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Special Requirements ORIENT 91.2D TO 99.2D ORIENT 271.2D TO 279.2D ONBOARD ACQ FOR 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 ORIENT 2.1D TO 11.9D ORIENT 182.1D TO 191.9D ORIENT 138.3D TO 145.5D ORIENT 318.3D TO 325.5D ONBOARD ACQ for 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 ORIENT 80.3D TO 83.7D ORIENT 260.3D TO 263.7D ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Spectral Elements MIRROR G430L G750L G140L ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Target Names IRAS0100-22 CCDFLAT IRAS0518-25 IRAS1207-04 IRAS1520+33 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Wavelengths 4300 7751 1425 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------