Proposal code

w503

Proposal title

Highest resolution Space VLBI observations of S5 1803+784

The

Investigators and their

Affiliations

P.I. S. Britzen Landessternwarte, Heidelberg, Germany
T.P. Krichbaum, A. Witzel, J.A. Zensus MPIfR, Bonn, Germany
R.G. Strom NFRA, Dwingeloo, The Netherlands

Proposal Abstract

We propose highest angular resolution observations using HALCA and the best equipped ground array (VLBA+EVN), to observe the enigmatic BL Lac object S5 1803+784 in total and polarized flux at 1.6 GHz. By combining these observations with previous ground- and space VLBI observations we plan to resolve the fine scale structure of the intermediate jet at core separations between 5 and 60 mas. We want to make optimal use of this array by tracing the weak total and polarized flux further out than ever possible and search for evidence that this source is a helix of kpc size. We plan to search for motion on these "unusual" large scales. Faraday rotation and differences in Faraday rotation will yield an independant indication of the strength of the bending of the helix. The high dynamic range of the proposed observations will reveal the existence of a counter-jet presumed on the basis of earlier resolution limited observations.

The full Cover Sheets (compressed post-script, typically 50kbytes) can be retrieved. Note that some proposals were reduced in extent by the Scientific Review Committee (e.g. by reducing the number of experiments), however the Cover Sheets contain the full proposal as submitted. Also note that AO5 proposals were submitted in February 2001, and information such as affiliations and contact details has changed for some proposers since that time.