NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011A-0435
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011A-0435 |
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PI: S. Bradley Cenko, University of California, Berkeley, cenko@astro.berkeley.edu
Address: Department of Astronomy, 601 Campbell Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720, United States
CoI: Joshua S. Bloom, University of California, Berkeley
CoI: Eliot Quataert, University of California, Berkeley
CoI: Adam A. Miller, University of California, Berkeley
CoI: Nat R. Butler, University of California, Berkeley
CoI: Adam N. Morgan, University of California, Berkeley
CoI: Linda Strubbe, University of California, Berkeley
Title: Probing the Central Black Holes of Distant, Quiescent Galaxies via Tidal Disruption Flares
Abstract:
A star passing within the sphere of influence of a massive black
hole will be torn apart by tidal forces. For sufficiently low-mass
black holes, the disruption will occur outside the event horizon and
lead to a bright, short-lived transient known as a tidal disruption
flare (TDF). Wide-field, high-cadence optical surveys such as the
Palomar Transient Factory will likely uncover a number of TDFs over the
course of semester 2011A. Here we request a ToO program with
Gemini/GMOS to help disambiguate the origin of a carefully selected
sample of TDF candidates. Our long-term aim is to to use these objects
as probes of the properties of central black holes in distant, quiescent
galaxies beyond the reach of current kinematic studies.
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 North Cherry Avenue, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85726, Phone: (520) 318-8000, Fax: (520) 318-8360
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011A-0435 |
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