AT 2020nov: Evidence for Disk Reprocessing in a Rare Tidal Disruption Event

Nicholas Earl, K. Decker French, Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz, Katie Auchettl, Sandra I. Raimundo, Kyle W. Davis, Megan Masterson, Iair Arcavi, Wenbin Lu, Vivienne F. Baldassare, David A. Coulter, Thomas de Boer, Maria R. Drout, Hannah Dykaar, Ryan J. Foley, Christa Gall, Hua Gao, Mark E. Huber, David O. Jones, Danial LangeroodiChien Cheng Lin, Eugene A. Magnier, Brenna Mockler, Margaret Shepherd, Margaret E. Verrico

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We present a detailed analysis of AT 2020nov, a tidal disruption event (TDE) in the center of its host galaxy, located at a redshift of z = 0.083. AT 2020nov exhibits unique features, including double-peaked Balmer emission lines, a broad UV/optical flare, and a peak log luminosity in the extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) estimated at ∼ 45.6 6 − 0.33 + 0.10 erg s − 1 . A late-time X-ray flare was also observed, reaching an absorbed luminosity of 1.67 × 1043 erg s−1 approximately 300 days after the UV/optical peak. Multiwavelength coverage, spanning optical, UV, X-ray, and mid-infrared (MIR) bands, reveals a complex spectral energy distribution (SED) that includes MIR flaring indicative of dust echoes, suggesting a dust covering fraction consistent with typical TDEs. Spectral modeling indicates the presence of an extended, quiescent disk around the central supermassive black hole with a radius of ∼ 5.0 6 − 0.77 + 0.59 × 1 0 4 R g . The multicomponent SED model, which includes a significant EUV component, suggests that the primary emission from the TDE is reprocessed by this extended disk, producing the observed optical and MIR features. The lack of strong active galactic nuclei signatures in the host galaxy, combined with the quiescent disk structure, highlights AT 2020nov as a rare example of a TDE occurring in a galaxy with a dormant but extended preexisting accretion structure.

Original languageEnglish
Article number28
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume983
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 10 Apr 2025

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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