8235( 5) - 02/05/99 11:10 - [ 1] PROPOSAL FOR HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE OBSERVATIONS ST ScI Use Only ID: 8235 Version: 5 Check-in Date: 05-Feb-1999 11:10:14 1.Proposal Title: Jets, Winds, and Bubbles in Hercules A? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2. Proposal For 3. Cycle SNAP 8 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4. Investigators Contact? PI: Stefi Baum Space Telescope Science Institute CoI: Dr. Jeffrey Hayes Space Telescope Science Institute N CoI: Dr. Chris O'Dea Space Telescope Science Institute N ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5. Abstract The astrophysics of the launching, collimation, and propagation of jets is one of the outstanding problems in the study of powerful radio loud AGN. During the course of obtaining WFPC2 F702W snapshot images of the complete 3CR radio catalog, we came upon the remarkable discovery of a unique phenomenon which, if verified, has the potential to shed new light on the transport of energy in powerful radio jets. Our observation of the host galaxy to the powerful radio source 3C348 (Hercules A), revealed the surprising discovery of interlocking, kpc scale rings or bubbles aligned near the radio axis and slightly offset from the galaxy nucleus (Baum Etal\ 1996). The morphology of the radio and optical rings may suggest that at least in this one source, radio ejection is episodic. These initial observations were of quite low signal to noise. With STIS in 50CCD clear and F28X50LP observations, in a 25 minute snapshot observation we will increase our signal-to-noise by almost an order of magnitude, allowing us to verify the authenticity of these unique features, and obtain basic color information as well. Given the possible ramifications of these results for our understanding of jets, and the remarkableness of the results, we propose to spend a ~ 25 minute snapshot observation verifying the result before embarking on more costly (in terms of orbits) follow up observations in Cycle 9. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8235( 5) - 02/05/99 11:10 - [ 2] Observations Description ------------------------ We will divide the snapshot time roughly equally between the 50CCD and F28X50LP observations, with slightly more time going to 50LP. For each filter we will therefor take a roughly ~12 minute CR-split observation. We have measured the R band surface brightness from our existing WFPC2 snapshots and find a mean M_R=21.7 in the inner regions where the rings are seen. Using the ETC we calculate we will get a signal-to- noise of roughly 10:1 per resolution element in the CR-split combined images for each filter, and 16:1 in the combined images. These observations will go roughly a factor of 10 deeper than our previous WFPC2 snapshot observations. Real Time Justification ----------------------- N/A. Calibration Justification ------------------------- Additional Comments ------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Data Distribution Paper Products: NO Media: ELECTRONIC Blocking Factor: 10 Ship To: PI_Address Ship Via: Email: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8235( 5) - 02/05/99 11:10 - [ 3] TARGET LIST a) Fixed Targets ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tar| Target | Target | Target |Coord | Radial | Flux data No | Name | Description | Position |Eqnx | Vel. | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 HERCULESA GALAXY, radio galaxy RA = 16H 51M 08.18S +/- .1S, DEC J2000 V = 18.5 = +04D 59' 34.5" +/- 1", PLATE- B-V = 0.9 ID = 01HA 8235( 5) - 02/05/99 11:10 - [ 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 HERCULESA STIS/C ACCUM 50CCD MIRROR CR-SPLIT=2,GAIN=1 1 12 M CD ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 HERCULESA STIS/C ACCUM F28X50L MIRROR CR-SPLIT=2,GAIN=1 1 12 M CD P ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8235( 5) - 02/05/99 11:10 - [ 5] Summary Form for Proposal 8235 Item Used in this proposal ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Apertures 50CCD F28X50LP ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Configurations STIS/CCD ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Opmodes ACCUM ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Optional Parameters CR-SPLIT=2 GAIN=1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Proposal Category SNAP ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Spectral Elements MIRROR ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Target Names HERCULESA ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------