NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2012A-0181
|
NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2012A-0181 |
|
PI: Andrew Levan, University of Warwick, A.J.Levan@warwick.ac.uk
Address: Department of Physics, University of Warwick, Gibbett Hill Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
CoI: Brad Cenko, University of California, Berkeley
CoI: Nial Tanvir, University of Leicester
CoI: Joshua Bloom, University of California, Berkeley
CoI: Klaas Wiersema, University of Leicester
CoI: Daniel Perley, California Institute of Technology
CoI: Rachel Tunnicliffe, University of Warwick
Title: The late time behaviour of a relativsitic tidal disruption event
Abstract:
In March 2011 we used Gemini to discover the host galaxy and optical/IR
counterpart of a unique high energy transient (Levan et al. 2011 Science 333
199). It appears as a long-lived and luminous transient from the nucleus of a
normal star-forming galaxy. We suggested this event may represent a
relativistic variant of a tidal disruption event, where a main sequence star
is shredded by a supermassive black hole (Bloom et al. Science 2011 333 199).
However, other authors have suggested alternatives from extremely long GRBs
to white dwarf--black hole disruptions. We propose to continue observations
in the IR, to match already approved X-ray and radio observations. Using NIRI
we will follow the transient to extremely faint levels, testing the behaviour
in comparison to the expectations of different models. These observations
will also place stringent constraints on the mass of the black hole. Finally
we will obtain a late epoch of GMOS spectroscopy to search for the emergence
of broad lines from high-velocity, unbound material released in the
disruption. This event represents the first example of a new type of
high-energy transient, has equisite data to date, and will represent the
benchmark of its class for years to come.
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 North Cherry Avenue, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85726, Phone: (520) 318-8000, Fax: (520) 318-8360
|
NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2012A-0181 |
|