The case of AT2022wtn: a tidal disruption event in an interacting galaxy

Onori, F, Nicholl, M, Ramsden, P, McGee, S, Roy, R, Li, W, Arcavi, I, Anderson, JP, Brocato, E, Bronikowski, M, Cenko, SB, Chambers, K, Chen, TW, Clark, P, Concepcion, E, Farah, J, Flammini, D, González-Gaitán, S, Gromadzki, M, Gutiérrez, CP et al (2025) The case of AT2022wtn: a tidal disruption event in an interacting galaxy. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 540 (1). pp. 498-520. ISSN 0035-8711

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Abstract

We present the results from our multiwavelength monitoring campaign of the transient AT 2022wtn, discovered by the Zwicky Transient Facility in the nucleus of SDSS J232323.79 + 104107.7, the less-massive galaxy in an active merging pair with a mass ratio of $\sim$10:1. AT 2022wtn shows spectroscopic and photometric properties consistent with a X-ray faint N-strong TDE-H + He with a number of peculiarities. Specifically, a 30-d long plateau at maximum luminosity, a corresponding dip in temperature and the development of a double-horned N iii + He ii line profile. Strong and time-evolving velocity offsets in the tidal disruption event (TDE) broad emission lines and the detection of a transient radio emission, indicate the presence of outflows. Overall, the observed properties are consistent with the full disruption of a low-mass star by a $\sim 10^{6}$ M$_{\odot }$ supermassive black hole followed by an efficient disc formation and the launch of a quasi-spherical reprocessing envelope of fast expanding outflowing material. The observed differences between the He ii and the Hydrogen and N iii lines can be explained either with a spatial separation of the lines emitting region or with a late-time reveal of shocks from the returning debris streams, as the photosphere recedes. Finally, we present an extensive analysis of the hosting environment and discuss the implications for the discovery of two TDEs in interacting galaxy pairs, finding indication for an over-representation of TDEs in these systems. The AT 2022wtn host galaxy properties suggest that it is in the early stages of the merger, therefore we may be witnessing the initial enhanced rate of TDEs in interacting galaxies before the post-starburst phase.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	5101 Astronomical Sciences; 51 Physical Sciences; 0201 Astronomical and Space Sciences; Astronomy & Astrophysics; 5101 Astronomical sciences; 5107 Particle and high energy physics; 5109 Space sciences
Subjects:	Q Science > QB Astronomy Q Science > QC Physics
Divisions:	Astrophysics Research Institute
Publisher:	Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date of acceptance:	30 April 2025
Date of first compliant Open Access:	21 May 2025
Date Deposited:	21 May 2025 10:36
Last Modified:	21 May 2025 10:45
DOI or ID number:	10.1093/mnras/staf746
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/26396

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