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A New Population of Highly Energetic Nuclear Transients

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 August 2019

E. Kankare*
Affiliation:
Astrophysics Research Centre, Queens University Belfast, Belfast, UK Tuorla Observatory, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
R. Kotak
Affiliation:
Tuorla Observatory, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
S. Mattila
Affiliation:
Tuorla Observatory, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
P. Lundqvist
Affiliation:
Department of Astronomy, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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Abstract

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We have identified a new population of luminous, optical, narrow-lined transients (FWHM ∼1000 km s−1) coincident with the nuclear region of Seyfert galaxies. According to extensive spectrophotometric follow-ups of the main event (PS1-10adi), we could exclude both normal active galactic nucleus activity and changing-look quasars as the origin. The integrated energy output and spectral evolution over a time-scale of several years point to two possible paths of origin: a tidal disruption of a star by a supermassive black hole, or an extremely energetic supernova occurring within the Seyfert galaxy’s narrow-line (or broad-line) region. The former model would require invoking a specific variant of a tidal disruption, while the latter would require an extremely efficient conversion of kinetic energy via shock interaction between the supernova ejecta and the dense ambient medium.

Type
Contributed Papers
Copyright
© International Astronomical Union 2019 

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