Speaker
Description
Tidal disruption events (TDEs) provide a unique window into the otherwise quiescent massive black hole (MBH) population. Sample studies of TDEs in galaxy nucleus and off-nuclear locations can address fundamental open questions about MBHs, including their origin and growth via mergers. Over the past few years, time domain sky surveys such as the optical Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) have led to a surge of TDE candidates. Swift follow-up observations have been instrumental in confirming bona fide TDEs and characterizing their multi-wavelength properties. In this talk, I will present our efforts to constrain the local MBH mass function using a complete, flux-limited sample of ZTF TDEs. I will also introduce AT2024tvd, the first offset TDE identified by modern optical sky surveys, and discuss its implications for galaxy evolution. Finally, I will outline strategies to optimize Swift follow-up of TDE candidates in the era of upcoming time-domain surveys.
