An Unusual Outburst from the Nucleus of the Quiescent Galaxy NGC 1589

As part of the Lick Observatory Supernova Search {LOSS}, we have recently identified a highly unusual optical outburst from the nucleus {within 0.05", or 10 pc in projection} of the nearby {d 50 Mpc} spiral {S0/a} galaxy NGC 1589. Over a decade of photometric monitoring with LOSS, together with archival spectroscopy from the CfA Redshift Survey, suggest that the galaxy does not harbor an active nucleus. Likewise, the transient, bright observed X-ray emission and broad H-alpha emission-line profile do not appear to closely resemble those of any known Type II supernova. We therefore consider this transient source {dubbed NGC1589-OT} to be the most viable candidate for a tidal disruption flare {TDF} ever discovered in real time. Here we request UV {STIS} spectroscopy with HST to search for "smoking gun" evidence in favor of the TDF interpretation: photoionized stellar debris ejected by the disruption process. DD time is necessary because the outburst will almost certainly not be visible by the time Cycle 19 observations commence. We did not propose for analogous observations during the normal course of a previous GO cycle due to the extraordinarily small number of good, real-time TDF candidates detected in the past.