8386(  2) - 12/18/98 16:56  - [  1]

    PROPOSAL FOR HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE OBSERVATIONS   ST ScI Use Only
                                                       ID:      8386
                                                       Version: 2
                                                       Check-in Date: 18-Dec-1998
                                                                      16:54:51

1.Proposal Title:
The Nature of Dusty Nuclear Disks in Early Type Galaxies
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2. Proposal For  3. Cycle
AR               8
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4. Investigators
                                                                                     Contact?
    PI: Holland Ford                      The Johns Hopkins University
   CoI: Dr. Laura Ferrarese               California Institute of Technology            N
   CoI: Dr. Walter Jaffe                  University of Leiden                          N
   CoI: Dr. Zlatan Tsvetanov              The Johns Hopkins University                  N

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5. Abstract

We propose to use WFPC2 images extracted from the HST archive to construct a volume
limited (v <= 3000 km/s) sample of E and E/S0 galaxies with 3Sigma or greater IRAS
detections at 100 micron to search for small (r ~ 1'') dusty nuclear disks.
Preliminary analysis of WFPC2 archive images shows that more than half of the sample
will have small nuclear disks and disk-like structures. The galaxies with disks will
provide an efficient means to answer outstanding questions about the relationship
between massive black holes and their host galaxies. Subsequent HST/STIS and ground-
based infrared spectroscopy of the disks will be used measure the central potentials
and mass distributions. We will use the archive images to: o study the role played
by galaxy environment in determining the frequency of dusty disks; o gain insights
into the origin of the dust and the role of the stellar potential and the galaxy
merging history in shaping the disks; o investigate the connection between the
presence and morphology of the disks and the frequency and intensity of the nuclear
activity.
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  Data Distribution

  Paper Products:  NO
  Media:           ELECTRONIC
  Blocking Factor: 10
  Ship To:         PI_Address
  Ship Via:
  Email:
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                                                8386(  2) - 12/18/98 16:56  - [  2]

            Summary Form for Proposal  8386

  Item                         Used in this proposal
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  Proposal Category            AR
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