Are Changing-Look Quasars Actually Tidal Disruption Events?
PI:
John Ruan
Co-I(s):
Paul Green, Michael Eracleous, Chelsea MacLeod, Scott Anderson, Jessie Runnoe, Daryl Haggard
Abstract
The rapid disappearance of nuclear emission observed in 'changing-look' (CL) quasars may be due to either tidal disruption of stars, or luminous quasars fading into quiescent states. To test these two scenarios, we propose for GMOS-N broadband imaging to search for 'voorwerpjes' (photoionization echoes) around the host galaxies. The discovery of voorwerpjes will enable us to determine the nuclear luminosity of each changing-look quasar ~10^5 years ago using follow-up GMOS IFU spectroscopy.
Publications using this program's data
[data][ADS] Gemini Imaging of the Host Galaxies of Changing-look Quasars