Stream-Disk Shocks as the Origins of Peak Light in Tidal Disruption Events

Understand

Tidal disruption events occur when stars are ripped apart by massive black holes, and result in highly luminous, multi-wavelength flares.

• Optical/UV observations of tidal disruption events (TDEs) contradict simple models of TDE emission, but the debate between alternative models (e.g.
• shock power or reprocessed accretion power remains unsettled, as the dynamic range of the problem has so far prevented ab initio hydrodynamical simulations.
• Consequently, past simulations have resorted to unrealistic parameter choices, artificial mass injection schemes or very short run-times.