8306( 8) - 06/26/01 09:58 - [ 1] PROPOSAL FOR HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE OBSERVATIONS ST ScI Use Only ID: 8306 Version: 8 Check-in Date: 26-Jun-2001 09:57:44 1.Proposal Title: Lyman Alpha clouds toward PKS1302-102. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2. Proposal For 3. Cycle GO 8 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4. Investigators Contact? PI: Martin Lemoine CNRS, Institute d'Astrophysique de Paris CoI: Prof. Donald York The University of Chicago N CoI: Dr. Scott Burles The University of Chicago N CoI: Christoforos Mallouris The University of Chicago N ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5. Abstract We propose to conduct high spectral resolution (DeltaLambda~10 km/s) observations of the low-redshift quasar PKS1302-102 (z_em=0.278), whose line of sight comprises ~20 Lyman Alpha absorbers with HI column densities in excess of 10^14 cm^- 2. Using existing archive FOS data of this quasar, we derived constraints on the average ionization state and metallicity of the absorbers. The constraint is not stringent because the FOS spectrum did not fully resolve the absorption lines. However, when combined with existing upper limits on the local metagalactic ionizing flux, it already suggests that these low-z Lyman Alpha clouds are on average metal-deficient, with Fe/H<~-1. At high resolution, the confidence region for the average radiation flux intensity and metallicity would sharpen considerably and yield a reliable estimate of these two physical characteristics; notably, this would yield an estimate of the baryon content of Lyman Alpha clouds at low redshift. Moreover, three int er vening galaxies are present in the field, with impact parameters spanning 40-200 kpc. This line of sight thus provides a unique opportunity, for a relatively low observational cost, to study the morphology and physical conditions of low-z Lyman Alpha clouds, whose nature and origin remain unknown. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8306( 8) - 06/26/01 09:58 - [ 2] Observations Description ------------------------ We wish to perform STIS observations of PKS 1302-102, using the E140M Echelle grating, with the 0.2*0.2 aperture. The continuum flux is F_lambda=5*10^-14 ergs/cm/s/Angstrom at Lambda1300Angstrom, and relatively constant from 1200Angstrom up to the emission line at 1550Angstrom, as measured from the FOS spectrum, so that 2*10^4s of exposure time would offer a signal-to-noise ratio of 15 per resolution element over most of the wavelength range 1200- 1700Angstrom. This translates into 8 orbits. Real Time Justification ----------------------- Calibration Justification ------------------------- Additional Comments ------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Data Distribution Paper Products: YES Media: DAT Blocking Factor: 10 Ship To: Dr. Martin Lemoine, DARC, Observatoire de Meudon, F--92195 Meudon Cedex, FRANCE Ship Via: Email: Martin.Lemoine@obspm.fr ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8306( 8) - 06/26/01 09:58 - [ 3] TARGET LIST Fixed Targets ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tar| Target | Target | Target |Coord | Radial | Flux data No | Name | Description | Position |Eqnx | Vel. | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 PKS1302-102 GALAXY, QUASAR RA=13H 5M 32.98S +/- 0S, DEC=- J2000 Z = V = 14.92 10D 33' 20.46" +/- 0", PLATE- 0.2784 F-CONT(1400)=5+/-1e-14 ID=015I 8306( 8) - 06/26/01 09:58 - [ 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 10 PKS1302-102 STIS/C ACQ F28X50L MIRROR ACQTYPE=POINT 1 0.5 S CD P ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 20 PKS1302-102 STIS/F ACCUM 0.2X0.2 E140M 1425 4 40 M UV-MAM A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8306( 8) - 06/26/01 09:58 - [ 5] 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 10 PKS1302-102 STIS/C ACQ F28X50L MIRROR ACQTYPE=POINT 1 0.5 S CD P ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 20 PKS1302-102 STIS/F ACCUM 0.2X0.2 E140M 1425 4 40 M UV-MAM A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8306( 8) - 06/26/01 09:58 - [ 6] Visit: 51 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 10 PKS1302-102 STIS/C ACQ F28X50L MIRROR ACQTYPE=POINT 1 0.5 S CD P ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 20 PKS1302-102 STIS/F ACCUM 0.2X0.2 E140M 1425 4 40 M UV-MAM A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8306( 8) - 06/26/01 09:58 - [ 7] Visit: 61 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 10 PKS1302-102 STIS/C ACQ F28X50L MIRROR ACQTYPE=POINT 1 0.5 S CD P ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 20 PKS1302-102 STIS/F ACCUM 0.2X0.2 E140M 1425 4 40 M UV-MAM A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8306( 8) - 06/26/01 09:58 - [ 8] Summary Form for Proposal 8306 Item Used in this proposal ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Apertures F28X50LP 0.2X0.2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Configurations STIS/CCD STIS/FUV-MAMA ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Opmodes ACQ ACCUM ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Optional Parameters ACQTYPE=POINT ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Proposal Category GO ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Spectral Elements MIRROR E140M ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Target Names PKS1302-102 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Wavelengths 1425 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------