Browsing by Subject "classical novae"

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M31N-2007-06B: A Nova in the M31 Globular Cluster Bol 111
(2007-12) Shafter, A. W.; Quimby, R. M.; Quimby, R. M.
We report spectroscopic observations of the nova M31N-2007-06b, which was found to be spatially coincident with the M31 globular cluster Bol 111. This nova is the first out of more than 700 discovered in M31 over the past century to be associated with one of the galaxy's globular clusters. A total of three spectra of the nova were obtained 3, 6, and 36 days after discovery. The data reveal broad (FWHM similar to 3000 km s(-1)) Balmer, N II, and N III emission lines and show that the nova belongs to the He/N spectroscopic class. The He/N class of novae are relatively rare, making up roughly 15% of the novae with measured spectra in M31 and roughly 20% - 25% of the Galactic novae for which spectroscopic data are available. The implications of a nova, particularly an He/N nova, occurring in a globular cluster are discussed.
Recurrent Novae in M31
(2015-02) Shafter, A. W.; Henze, M.; Rector, T. A.; Schweizer, F.; Hornoch, K.; Orio, M.; Pietsch, W.; Darnley, M. J.; Williams, S. C.; Bode, M. F.; Bryan, J.; Bryan, J.
The reported positions of 964 suspected nova eruptions in M31 recorded through the end of calendar year 2013 have been compared in order to identify recurrent nova (RN) candidates. To pass the initial screen and qualify as a RN candidate, two or more eruptions were required to be coincident within 0'.1, although this criterion was relaxed to 0'.15 for novae discovered on early photographic patrols. A total of 118 eruptions from 51 potential RN systems satisfied the screening criterion. To determine what fraction of these novae are indeed recurrent, the original plates and published images of the relevant eruptions have been carefully compared. This procedure has resulted in the elimination of 27 of the 51 progenitor candidates (61 eruptions) from further consideration as RNe, with another 8 systems (17 eruptions) deemed unlikely to be recurrent. Of the remaining 16 systems, 12 candidates (32 eruptions) were judged to be RNe, with an additional 4 systems (8 eruptions) being possibly recurrent. It is estimated that similar to 4% of the nova eruptions seen in M31 over the past century are associated with RNe. A Monte Carlo analysis shows that the discovery efficiency for RNe may be as low as 10% that for novae in general, suggesting that as many as one in three nova eruptions observed in M31 arise from progenitor systems having recurrence times. less than or similar to 100 yr. For plausible system parameters, it appears unlikely that RNe can provide a significant channel for the production of Type Ia supernovae.
The Unusually Luminous Extragalactic Nova SN 2010U
(2013-03) Czekala, Ian; Berger, E.; Chornock, Ryan; Pastorello, A.; Marion, G. H.; Margutti, R.; Botticella, M. T.; Challis, Peter; Ergon, M.; Smartt, S.; Sollerman, Jesper; Vinko, Jozsef; Wheeler, J. Craig; Wheeler, J. Craig
We present observations of the unusual optical transient SN 2010U, including spectra taken 1.03 days to 15.3 days after maximum light that identify it as a fast and luminous Fe II type nova. Our multi-band light curve traces the fast decline (t(2) = 3.5 +/- 0.3 days) from maximum light (M-V = -10.2 +/- 0.1 mag), placing SN 2010U in the top 0.5% of the most luminous novae ever observed. We find typical ejecta velocities of approximate to 1100 km s(-1) and that SN 2010U shares many spectral and photometric characteristics with two other fast and luminous Fe II type novae, including Nova LMC 1991 and M31N-2007-11d. For the extreme luminosity of this nova, the maximum magnitude versus rate of decline relationship indicates a massive white dwarf (WD) progenitor with a low pre-outburst accretion rate. However, this prediction is in conflict with emerging theories of nova populations, which predict that luminous novae from massive WDs should preferentially exhibit an alternate spectral type (He/N) near maximum light.