Further evidence to support a tidal disruption event in the changing-look AGN SDSS J0159

TL;DR

This paper presents evidence supporting a tidal disruption event in the changing-look AGN SDSS J0159, based on asymmetric broad Hα emission variability explained by relativistic accretion disk models, challenging normal AGN relations.

Contribution

It provides new evidence linking broad Hα emission variability to a central TDE, using relativistic disk models, in a changing-look AGN.

Findings

Broad Hα emission regions are asymmetric and vary over time.

The emission region sizes do not follow the typical R-L relation for AGN.

The emission regions are consistent with debris from a TDE.

Abstract

In this Letter, we report further evidence to support a tidal disruption event (TDE) in the known changing-look AGN SDSS J0159, through the unique variabilities of asymmetric broad H$\alpha$: broader but redder in 2010 than in 2000. Accepted the broad H$\alpha$ emission regions tightly related to accreting debris in a central TDE, the well-known relativistic accretion disk origination can be applied to well explain the asymmetric broad H$\alpha$ variabilities in SDSS J0159. Moreover, the model determined broad H$\alpha$ emission regions have the sizes not follow the empirical R-L relation valid in normal broad line AGN, but have locations basically similar to the regions of accreting debris from a central TDE in SDSS J0159, indicating tight connections between the broad H$\alpha$ emission materials and central TDE debris. Therefore, explanations of the asymmetric broad H$\alpha$ variabilities through the relativistic accretion disk origination provide further clues to support a central TDE in SDSS J0159.