What Can X-ray Selected TDEs Tell Us About the Physics of Disruption and Accretion

Explore the insights X-ray selected Tidal Disruption Events (TDEs) provide into the physics of stellar disruption and accretion in this 25-minute conference talk by Richard Saxton from ESAC. Delivered at the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics' "Anticipating the Rising Tide of Tidal Disruption Events: Theory and Observation" conference, delve into the unique perspective offered by X-ray observations of TDEs. Examine how these events, caused by stars destroyed by supermassive black holes, illuminate the properties of galactic nuclei and central black holes. Consider the theoretical uncertainties in TDE modeling and the challenges in using them to decipher black hole demographics across cosmic time. Connect this talk to broader conference themes, including recent advances in TDE understanding, relationships to variable Active Galactic Nuclei and X-ray binaries, and outstanding questions in the field.