. (2011) A possible relativistic jetted outburst from a massive black hole fed by a tidally disrupted star. Science, Vol.333 (No.6039). pp. 203-206. ISSN 0036-8075

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Abstract

Gas accretion onto some massive black holes (MBHs) at the centers of galaxies actively powers luminous emission, but most MBHs are considered dormant. Occasionally, a star passing too near an MBH is torn apart by gravitational forces, leading to a bright tidal disruption flare (TDF). Although the high-energy transient Sw 1644+57 initially displayed none of the theoretically anticipated (nor previously observed) TDF characteristics, we show that observations suggest a sudden accretion event onto a central MBH of mass about 106 to 107 solar masses. There is evidence for a mildly relativistic outflow, jet collimation, and a spectrum characterized by synchrotron and inverse Compton processes; this leads to a natural analogy of Sw 1644+57 to a temporary smaller-scale blazar.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	Q Science > QB Astronomy
Divisions:	Faculty of Science > Physics
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Black holes (Astronomy), Gravity, Active galactic nuclei, Accretion (Astrophysics)
Journal or Publication Title:	Science
Publisher:	American Association for the Advancement of Science
ISSN:	0036-8075
Date:	2011
Volume:	Vol.333
Number:	No.6039
Page Range:	pp. 203-206
Identification Number:	10.1126/science.1207150
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/39449

Data sourced from Thomson Reuters' Web of Knowledge

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