Continued X-ray Monitoring of a Tidal Disruption Event in an AGN Host Galaxy

The purpose of this Chandra program is to continue an X-ray monitoring campaign of the unique transient PS16dtm, the best candidate to date for a tidal disruption event (TDE) in a host galaxy with an active galactic nucleus (AGN). Previous observations suggest that the stellar debris from the disrupted star obscures the pre-existing X-ray emitting region of the AGN while producing a flare that is reprocessed by the broad line region. A key test of this scenario is continued X-ray monitoring since we expect the suppressed X-ray emission to return to its pre-existing level as the TDE disk dissipates and obscuration decreases. In addition, the timing of when the X-ray emission reappears will constrain the amount of obscuring material. This program consists of a 20ks Chandra observation that will be analyzed in conjunction with ongoing Cycle 20 observations. The project will involve the analysis of the complete Chandra dataset, its relationship to observations at other wavelengths, and the resulting implications for the proposed physical scenario explaining PS16dtm.