======================================================================= ==> discretionary time proposal ======================================================================= one of the exciting discoveries made using iras was the dust disc around vega. so far, only beta pic has had its disc confirmed optically, and for many of the vega-like candidates the disc is only visible between around 20um and 80um. due to the low spatial resolution of iras, relatively little is known about the immediate environment of vega-like stars/candidates in the infrared. isophot is being used to make oversampled maps (pht32 at 60um and 90um) for some vega-like stars and candidates. the reduction of the otf from 10 to 2 arcsec has made high resolution scans possible. recently the p3 detector was used to scan vega at 60um, using an aperture below the diffraction limit and with a very small step size, giving a high resolution scan across the disc. this showed the extent of the disc very clearly when compared to the point source gamma dra (hr6705). this new observing technique, resulting from iso.s excellent pointing accuracy, means that the airy disc can be sampled with around 7 to 8 positions across it, revealing the extended dust disc with ease. we propose to use this method on five new targets where the oversampled map (or other data) suggests a resolved disc at 60um. the five new targets are beta pic (hr2020), alpha psa (hr8728), and three stars from the walker and wolstencroft (1988) list, namely hd34700, hd142666 and hd169142. we propose 2 scans across beta pic and alpha psa, in orthogonal directions to investigate the disc orientation. we also request a scan across gamma dra (hr6705) when the scan across beta pic made, for confirmation of the behaviour of the detector for a genuine point source (from the influence of the tripod), and a second scan across vega (hr7001), in the orthogonal direction to the initial test scan, to confirm that the disc is face-on.
Instrument
PHT03
Temporal Coverage
1997-08-21T02:37:38Z/1997-10-19T17:48:03Z
Version
1.0
Mission Description
The Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) was the worlds first true orbiting infrared observatory. Equipped with four highly-sophisticated and versatile scientific instruments, it was launched by Ariane in November 1995 and provided astronomers world-wide with a facility of unprecedented sensitivity and capabilities for a detailed exploration of the Universe at infrared wavelengths.
European Space Agency, WALKER et al., 1998, 'HIGH RESOLUTION SCANS ACROSS VEGA-LIKE DUST DISCS', 1.0, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-fmdwg46
