Abstract for Proposal 090248
Revealing the Accretion Flow in a Bright TDE with XMM-Newton
We propose to continue targeting bright TDEs with the unique capabilities
of XMM-Newton, via a rapid TOO and a 1-orbit exposure. Executions of this
program have detected X-ray QPOs, disk reflection, and reverberation from
the inner disk in Swift J1644+57, and even material on eccentric orbits
at the edge of a natal disk in ASASSN-14li. Access to data from the
Zwicky Transient Factory and the XMM Slew Survey will help us to obtain
triggers for this program. This access will facilitate our central goals
of revealing the earliest phases of disk and outflow formation, and
super-Eddington accretion. Our XMM-Newton effort will be complemented
by Swift X-ray and U/B/V monitoring, Chandra, and NuSTAR programs.
Details on Observing Strategy and Trigger Criteria
An X-ray flux of F > 1 E-11 erg/cm2/s in an X-ray monitor, or in a
pointed observation with another mission, or in an extrapolation from a
BAT flux. Observations should be made as rapidly as possible, preferably
within several days. If this is not possible and the TDE has remained
bright, waiting up to a month can still catch a super-Eddington phase
and disk formation, depending on the TDE. We will support XMM-Newton
with other observatories (see the text).