X-ray observations of TDEs are a unique probe of the physics of accretion, asthey are thought to start out as super-Eddington accretion flows and transitionto thinner accretion discs on timescales of months/years. XMM-Newton has been aninvaluable instrument for making deep observations at early times, soon afterdiscovery, and has revealed QPOs, X-ray reverberation, and ionised winds.However, observations at late times have either been too short or occurred toolong after the initial flare, and therefore, we have not been able to trace theevolution of QPOs, winds, etc., as the accretion flow changes. In this proposal,we aim to follow-up a bright X-ray TDE with a deep 150 ks observation 3 monthsafter the initial discovery.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2019-10-26T14:44:03Z/2019-11-02T07:57:52Z
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, Dr Erin Kara, 2020, 'Mapping the evolution of the accretion flow in Tidal Disruption Events', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-hf3ms63
