Abstract for Proposal 084014

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. Prior executions of this program have detected X-ray QPOs, disk reflection, and reverberation from the inner disk in Swift J1644+57, and potentially even material on eccentric orbits at the edge of a natal disk in ASASSN-14li. Unique, early priority 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 effort will be aided by Swift X-ray and U/B/V monitoring, HST UV spectroscopy, as well as Chandra, NuSTAR, and NICER.



Details on Observing Strategy and Trigger Criteria
We request an observation of an X-ray bright TDE, soon after discovery. We can obtain triggers via the Swift/BAT, MAXI, Astrosat, and NICER. We also have special access to ZTF triggers that we can follow with the Swift XRT. Finally, we can obtain triggers from the XMM Slew Survey (R. Saxton is a Co-I). Our trigger threshold is F > 1 E-11 erg/cm^2/s in a standard X-ray band (0.3-10 or 3-10 keV). An observation within 1-->several orbits will be sufficient to meet our goals.