Astronomy & Astrophysics Seminar: Line Formation and Subtle Light Curve Structure in the Tidal Disruption Event AT 2019azh

Zoom: https://tau-ac-il.zoom.us/j/85031132958?pwd=UXZNS05ST01KVXhGTTdLRU9WekZEdz09

Abstract:

Tidal disruption events (TDEs) are a promising tool for studying dormant supermassive black holes (SMBHs). Recently, there has been an increase in discoveries of UV/optical TDEs, but the emission source for this type of events is still debated. I will present our analysis of the TDE AT 2019azh, one of the best-observed TDEs to date. AT 2019azh shows structure in its early light curve, never before detected in other TDEs, which may provide clues as to the emission mechanism(s) in UV/optical TDEs. We also obtain dense pre-peak spectral sampling, which allows us to constrain the formation time scale of the broad emission lines characteristic of this class of events. More such well-sampled TDEs could help elucidate the nature of their emission mechanisms and strengthen their potential as probes of SMBHs.

Seminar Organizer: Dr. Iair Arcavi