Late-time observations of the relativistic tidal disruption flare candidate Swift J1112.2−8238

Abstract We present late-time follow-up of the relativistic tidal disruption flare (rTDF) candidate Swift J1112.2−8238. We confirm the previously determined redshift of z = 0.8900 ± 0.0005 based on multiple emission line detections. Hubble Space Telescope imaging of the host galaxy indicates a compl...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 2017-12, Vol.472 (4), p.4469-4479
Main Authors: Brown, G. C., Levan, A. J., Stanway, E. R., Krühler, T., Tanvir, N. R., Davies, L. J. M., Fruchter, A., Cenko, S. B., Metzger, B. D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Disruption
Galaxies
Hubble Space Telescope
Morphology
Radio emission
Red shift
Relativism
Relativistic effects
Space telescopes
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Summary:Abstract We present late-time follow-up of the relativistic tidal disruption flare (rTDF) candidate Swift J1112.2−8238. We confirm the previously determined redshift of z = 0.8900 ± 0.0005 based on multiple emission line detections. Hubble Space Telescope imaging of the host galaxy indicates a complex and distorted morphology with at least two spatially distinct components. These are offset in velocity space by less than 350 km s−1 in VLT/X-Shooter observations, suggesting that the host is undergoing interaction with another galaxy. The transient position is consistent to 2.2σ with the centre of a bulge-like component at a distance of 1.1 ± 0.5 kpc from its centre. Luminous, likely variable radio emission has also been observed, strengthening the similarities between Swift J1112.2−8238 and other previously identified rTDFs. While the transient location is ∼ 2σ from the host centroid, the disrupted nature of the host may provide an explanation for this. The tidal disruption model remains a good description for these events.
ISSN:0035-8711
1365-2966
DOI:10.1093/mnras/stx2193