iPTF16fnl: Likely Tidal Disruption Event at 65 Mpc
ATel #9433; S. Gezari, T. Hung (UMd), N. Blagorodnova, J. D. Neill, L. Yan, S. Kulkarni, (Caltech), S. B. Cenko (GSFC), I. Arcavi, G. Hosseinzadeh (UCSB/LCOGT), A. Horesh, A. Gal-Yam, G. Leloudas (Weizmann), R. Walters (Caltech), S. Ben-Ami (Harvard), Y. Cao, A. Miller (Caltech), F. Masci (IPAC), and P. Nugent (LBNL/UCB), on behalf of the intermediate Palomar Transient Factory
on 31 Aug 2016; 00:43 UT
Distributed as an Instant Email Notice Transients
Credential Certification: Mansi Manoj Kasliwal (mansi@astro.caltech.edu)
Subjects: Optical, Request for Observations, Black Hole, Transient
We report the detection of a nuclear transient, iPTF16fnl, discovered on UT 26 August 2016 in a nearby galaxy (Mrk 950) at z=0.0163. The transient was detected with g=17.4 mag, and is rising, with a blue color (g-r ~ -0.3 mag). A classification spectrum was taken with the robotic SED Machine (spectral range 350-950 nm, spectral resolution R=100) on the Palomar 60-in telescope on UT 30 August 2016, which detected a blue continuum, and a strong, broad He II 4686 emission line, which together with its quiescent host galaxy, are consistent with a tidal disruption event (TDE). Spectroscopic monitoring is also being conducted with the LCOGT. Swift and VLA observations have been triggered. Further follow-up observations are encouraged for what may be the closest TDE ever discovered at a distance of only ~65 Mpc. The co-ordinates are:
iPTF16fnl 00:29:57.04 +32:53:37.5 (J2000)
