Discovery and follow-up of the unusual nuclear transient OGLE17aaj
Abstract
Aims: We report on the discovery and follow-up of a peculiar transient, OGLE17aaj, which occurred in the nucleus of a weakly active galaxy. We investigate whether it can be interpreted as a new candidate for a tidal disruption event (TDE).
Methods: We present the OGLE-IV light curve that covers the slow 60-day-long rise to maximum along with photometric, spectroscopic, and X-ray follow-up during the first year.
Results: OGLE17aaj is a nuclear transient exhibiting some properties similar to previously found TDEs, including a long rise time, lack of colour-temperature evolution, and high black-body temperature. On the other hand, its narrow emission lines and slow post-peak evolution are different from previously observed TDEs. Its spectrum and light-curve evolution is similar to F01004-2237 and AT 2017bgt. Signatures of historical low-level nuclear variability suggest that OGLE17aaj may instead be related to a new type of accretion event in active super-massive black holes.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- February 2019
- DOI:
- 10.1051/0004-6361/201833682
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1901.03718
- Bibcode:
- 2019A&A...622L...2G
- Keywords:
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- black hole physics;
- Galaxy: nucleus;
- Astrophysics - High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
- E-Print:
- 5 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy &