Abstract for Proposal 090068

The Nature of the X-ray Outbursts in IC 3599

We propose a 100ks observation of the unique outbursting Seyfert galaxy IC 3599, to be triggered if it flares again. Two giant-amplitude X-ray outbursts (factor > 100) of IC 3599 in 1990 and 2010 were accompanied by dramatic emission-line response never seen before in any AGN, but high-resolution X-ray spectra where missed. Among the two outburst models -- a repeat stripping of the same star in orbit of a tidal disruption event or an accretion-disk instability. We propose to obtain the first high-resolution X-ray spectrum of IC 3599 in one of these rare outburst states in order to understand accretion and wind physics under extreme conditions.

Details on Observing Strategy and Trigger Criteria
We trigger when we an increase of the 0.3-10 keV flux exceeding 5e-15 W/m^2 (5e-12 ergs/s/cm^2) with Swift. The reaction time needed is one to two weeks after the trigger. We are primarily interested in the RGS spectra to search for outflows caused by the outburst.