We report new radio observations of the tidal disruption event (TDE) AT2023mfm taken as part of our VLA Large Program dedicated to TDEs (program code 20B-377). AT2023mfm/ZTF23aapyidj was discovered on 2023 June 28, at J2000 RA 21h37m27.961s, Dec -04d20m42.87s by the Zwicky Transient Facility at a magnitude of g = 19.88 +/- 0.17 mag (Fremling et al., 2023). It was classified as a TDE on 2023 September 18, with a redshift z=0.087 (Chornock et al., 2023).
We observed AT2023mfm with the NSF’s Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) on 2023 September 23 at 01:10:59 (UT) at a mean frequency of 15 GHz (Ku band). The array was in the A-configuration. We used the standard flux calibrator 3C286 and the phase calibrator J2134-0153. The total on-source time was ~28 minutes. We reduced the data in CASA using standard procedures.
AT2023mfm was not detected with a 3σ upper-limit of 84 μJy. We have planned follow-up VLA observations in three and 12 months to search for late-time delayed radio emission.
Our VLA Large Program (20B-377) began in December 2020, and monitoring of existing targets will continue through September 2024. We are targeting new publicly-reported TDEs discovered at z < 0.1 to determine the prevalence of radio emission in TDEs. The list of TDEs targeted by our program can be viewed on our program website. For collaboration, please contact the program PI (Kate Alexander) or one of the program co-Is.
Chornock et al., 2023: AstroNote 2023-250
Fremling et al., 2023: Transient Name Server Discovery Report, No. 2023-1546
| Catalog | Name | Reported RA | Reported DEC | Reported Obj-Type | Reported Redshift | Host Name | Host Redshift | Remarks | TNS RA | TNS DEC | TNS Obj-Type | TNS Redshift |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TNS | 2023mfm | 21:37:27.961 | -04:20:43.16 | TDE | 0.087 | 21:37:27.961 | -04:20:43.16 | TDE | 0.087 |
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