A dataset provided by the European Space Agency

Proposal ID 082333
Title A new observation of the tidal disruption candidate 2MASX 1446+68
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https://nxsa.esac.esa.int/nxsa-sl/servlet/data-action-aio?obsno=0823330101

DOI https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-own8sjh
Principal Investigator, PI Mr Richard Saxton
Abstract In 2016 XMM-Newton detected a flare from the galaxy 2MASX 1446+68 during a slew.Optical spectra subsequently showed that the galaxy is non-active and a goodcandidate for a tidal disruption event, where a star is shredded and consumed bya super-massive black hole. We monitored the evolution of the disruption withXMM and Swift finding a drop in X-ray flux of a factor 20, while the UV hasremained high and constant. This is the first event where the X-ray flux fadesbefore the UV and casts doubt on currently fashionable models which ascribe theUV/optical emission to reprocessing of the X-ray flux. We ask for an XMMobservation in AO17 to continue to monitor the X-ray and UV flux and obtain ahigh quality spectrum.
Publications
Instrument EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage 2018-04-25T22:31:49Z/2018-04-26T05:13:29Z
Version 17.56_20190403_1200
Mission Description The European Space Agencys (ESA) X-ray Multi-Mirror Mission (XMM-Newton) was launched by an Ariane 504 on December 10th 1999. XMM-Newton is ESAs second cornerstone of the Horizon 2000 Science Programme. It carries 3 high throughput X-ray telescopes with an unprecedented effective area, and an optical monitor, the first flown on a X-ray observatory. The large collecting area and ability to make long uninterrupted exposures provide highly sensitive observations. Since Earths atmosphere blocks out all X-rays, only a telescope in space can detect and study celestial X-ray sources. The XMM-Newton mission is helping scientists to solve a number of cosmic mysteries, ranging from the enigmatic black holes to the origins of the Universe itself. Observing time on XMM-Newton is being made available to the scientific community, applying for observational periods on a competitive basis.
Creator Contact https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/xmm-newton/xmm-newton-helpdesk
Date Published 2019-05-29T22:00:00Z
Last Update 2025-01-27
Keywords "fashionable models", "uv flux", "quality spectrum", "swift finding", "tidal disruption event", "XMM-Newton", "2016 xmm newton", "xray flux", "casts doubt", "optical emission", "XMM", "xray flux fades", "galaxy 2masx 1446", "optical spectra subsequently"
Publisher And Registrant European Space Agency
Credit Guidelines European Space Agency, Mr Richard Saxton, 2019, 'A new observation of the tidal disruption candidate 2MASX 1446+68', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-own8sjh