P69-002: Optical polarization observations of IXPE targets

Multiwavelength polarization, and in particular X-ray polarization, is an important probe of the magnetic field geometry, acceleration physics, and high-energy emission processes of blazar jets. The Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) was successfully launched on the 9th of December 2021 opening a new window to the Universe through high-energy polarization. Here we propose simultaneous multi-band polarization observations of IXPE blazar targets. The proposed observations will supplement our planned multiwavelength campaign in radio, X-rays, and gamma-rays. Comparison of the millimeter-wave, optical, and X-ray polarization and measurement of the mm–optical–UV–X-ray continuum spectra of the blazars, will provide data needed to determine, for the first time, the mechanism and location of the X-ray emission, as well as test particle acceleration models in blazar jets.

ToO triggers

The OB generator will be used to request all ToO observations. Scripts to perform all the requested operations will be automatically created and placed in the directory ~/scripts/69-002/. An email will be sent automatically to the observer, which contains all the information about the requested observations, the names and locations of the scripts, instructions for observing and comments from the creator of the trigger.
To summarise:

Go to the directory
  cd ~/scripts/69-002
List the available scripts
  ls -lrt

and execute the OB generated scripts requested in the trigger email.

Program Tracking
Proposal	69-002
Semester	P69: 20240401 - 20241001
Principal Investigator	Pouya M. Kouch
Programme	Multi-band polarization observations of IXPE targets
Instrument	ALFOSC
Time Allocation	30 obs. total, 22 min/obs.
Total Nights	11.0h
Type	Mon
Notes	Fixed dates to be scheduled ~2 weeks in advance
Total Time Spent	01:33 (hh:mm)

Proposal	Date	Time	Type	Targets	Files	Comments	Status
69-002	2024-04-06	00:07	Mon	Mrk501	ALHd060224 - ALHd060228	The target was observed successfully. The pointing was correct in the first acquisition.	Observed
69-002	2024-04-07	00:09	Mon	Mrk501	ALHd070122 - ALHd070127	Observed in clear skies with seeing around 1.0"	Observed
69-002	2024-04-08	00:07	Mon	Mrk501	ALHd080148 - ALHd080152	Observed in clear skies with seeing around 2.0"	Observed
69-002	2024-04-09	00:08	Mon	Mrk501	ALHd090235 - ALHd090239	Target observed successfully, although the seeing was very poor.	Observed
69-002	2024-04-11	00:09	Mon	RGB_0710+591	ALHd110143 - ALHd110147	RGB_0710+591 successfully observed in dusty conditions but within constraints.	Observed
69-002	2024-04-12	00:09	Mon	RGB_0710+591	ALHd120266 - ALHd120270	Calima, but clear skies. The seeing was at around 1.5 arcsec	Observed
69-002	2024-04-13	00:08	Mon	RGB_0710+591	ALHd130001 - ALHd130005	Observed during astronomical twilight as the first target of the night. The air was dusty and wind speed was just below the closing limit (12 m/s). Nevertheless, the observation was successful, though a slight offset was present. The object is the topmost one in the frames.	Observed
69-002	2024-04-14	00:08	Mon	RGB_0710+591	ALHd140017 - ALHd140021	The target was observed successfully on the second attempt. In the first attempt, I tried to optimize the location of the FOV, but I got lost. I considered it a safe option to just observe the target with the same offset as yesterday because I knew the target would be inside the frame, although at the top. Seeing was around 1.8''-2.0''.	Observed
69-002	2024-04-26	00:08	Mon	Mkn_421_offset, Mrk421	ALHd260273 - ALHd260277	Observed in clear skies with seeing around 0.8"	Observed
69-002	2024-04-27	00:00	Mon			Could not open dome due to bad weather	Failed
69-002	2024-04-28	00:00	Mon			Failed because telescope could not be opened due to high humidity and subzero temperatures.	Failed
69-002	2024-04-29	00:05	Mon	Mkn_421_offset, Mrk421	ALHd290155 - ALHd290159		Observed
69-002	2024-04-30	00:07	Mon	Mkn_421_offset, Mrk421	ALHd300060 - ALHd300064	Observed with clear sky and seeing around 1 arcsec.	Observed
69-002	2024-05-02	00:08	Mon	Mrk421, Mkn_421_offset	ALHe020182 - ALHe020186	Observed in clear skies with seeing around 0.9"	Observed

Should any of the observations have been carried out using the OB system, you will find additional information HERE