Searches for $t\overline t $ Resonances at $\sqrt s =$ 13 TeV Using Run 2 Data from the ATLAS Experiment

Run 2 of the Large Hadron Collider at $\sqrt s =$ 13 TeV will extend the discovery reach for new particles predicted by Beyond the Standard Model theories. Several of these theories predict resonances that decay primarily into $t\overline t $ pairs. In the ATLAS detector, $t\overline t $ resonances are searched for using the lepton plus jets decay channel of the $t\overline t $ pair. For large $t\overline t $ resonance masses, boosted decays of the hadronically decaying top quark must be considered. This talk describes the prospects for discovering $t\overline t $ resonances in Run 2 and discusses possible improvements over previous searches. Preliminary results on data collected for $t\overline t $ resonance searches in Run 2 are shown.