We propose simultaneous (NuSTAR+XMM) ToO observations of a newly discoveredtidal disruption flare (TDF) to constrain its supermassive black holea??s (SMBH)mass and spin. Our primary goals are to (1) detect X-ray quasi-periodicoscillations (QPOs), and (2) study the role of the disk (using XMM) and thecorona (with NuSTAR) in exciting TDF QPOs. In the presence of an independentSMBH mass estimate, the QPO frequency will provide a strict lower limit to thespin, while in the absence of a mass constraint the QPO timescale will set atight upper limit on the SMBH mass. With excellent timing capabili-ties and theability to carry out continuous observations, NuSTAR and XMM are ideally suitedfor this study whose ultimate goal is to use TDF QPOs to measure several SMBH spins.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2021-02-26T22:37:47Z/2021-03-15T00:57:27Z
Version
19.16_20210326_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 Dheera Pasham, 2022, 'TOO OBSERVATIONS TO CONSTRAIN THE SPINS OF SMBH IN TIDAL DISRUPTION FLARES', 19.16_20210326_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.57780/esa-3l6ikmb
