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.
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.
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
