Difference between the optical flickering colours of cataclysmic variables and symbiotic recurrent novae

We performed simultaneous observations in 3 bands (U BV) of the flickering variability of the recurrent novae RS Oph and T CrB at quiescence. Using new and published data, we compare the colours of the flickering in cataclysmic variables and symbiotic recurrent novae. We find a difference between the colours of the flickering source in these two types of accreting white dwarfs. The detected difference is highly significant with p ‐values ≈2 x 10^–6 for the distributions of (U – B)₀ colour and p ≈ 3 x 10^–5 on an (U – B) versus (B – V) diagram. The possible physical reasons are briefly discussed. The data are available upon request from the authors. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

X-ray nova candidates among old classical novae

A review of light curves of known x-ray novae made it possible to identify criteria by which x-ray nova candidates were selected among old novae: amplitude of optical outburst 7–10 ^m, shape of light curve during the outburst with a temporary fading by 2–3^m lasting up to four days and an abrupt final fading from the 6^m level (relative to the quiet state). We identified LS And, AL Com, V592 Her, and HV Vir as x-ray nova candidates. Recurrent outbursts should be expected for the first and third stars. Less reliable candidates are V341 Nor, V787 Sgr, and V719 Sco. A possible recurrent nova candidate may be V1330 Cyg. Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 42, No. 3, pp. 359–364, July–September, 1999.     

Constraints for cataclysmic binary evolution as derived from space distributions

Space densities and galacticz-distributions of novae, recurrent novae, dwarf novae and symbiotic stars are newly determined and discussed in the context of earlier determinations. The data are then compared with the distributions of single and binary stars of possibly related types (late type giants, Mira variables, Algol systems, W UMa systems).Novae and dwarf novae have similar distributions, those of fairly young stellar populations. The observed space density of potential novae (novalike objects) indicates that the mean recurrence time of novae might be as small as a few hundred years, which leads, with given nova shell masses and mass transfer rates in the minimum stage, to a secular decrease of the masses of the components undergoing nova outbursts.Recurrent novae and symbiotic stars have distributions of older stellar populations, similar to those of late type giants and Mira variables.On the basis of galactic distribution, novae and dwarf novae are closely related and may be final stages of W UMa systems, as well as progenitors of supernovae of type I. A small fraction of W UMa systems seems to belong to an older population. If evolutionary transitions between these types of stars can be substantiated, the presence of a minority of novae and dwarf novae in globular clusters and of supernovae I in elliptical galaxies can be explained.Due to the lack of sufficiently well determined space distributions of Algol binaries, the suggestion that long-period Algol systems might be the progenitors of cataclysmic binaries can as yet neither be substantiated nor refuted. A very high space density of long-period Algol systems in the solar neighbourhood is derived. The observed space density of cataclysmic binaries could be explained by the transformation of a small percentage of the long-period Algol systems by common envelope evolution.Paper presented at the Lembang-Bamberg IAU Colloquium No. 80 on Double Stars: Physical Properties and Generic Relations, held at Bandung, Indonesia, 3–7 June, 1983.     

Origine des raies coronales des novae

First, the lines identified on the spectrum region 3060–6100 Å of the Nova Delphini 1967, taken in November 1972, are given. The coronal lines of novae: Herculis 1960, Herculis 1963, Delphini 1967, Serpentis 1970, Scuti 1975, Cygni 1975 have been studied and the observational results of these as well as those obtained for older novae and the recurrent novae RS ophiuchi are given.By studying all the proposed mechanisms for the formation of the coronal lines and the observational results mentioned above, it is found that the shock waves, produced by the collision of the principal envelope with the dusty circumstellar envelope, heat the circumstellar envelope and the heated material then emits the coronal lines.     

Ultraviolet observations of cataclysmic variables

The preliminary results of the analysis of more than 1000 spectra of cataclysmic variables in the archive of the International Ultraviolet Explorer were presented at the meeting. To characterize the slope of the spectra I useF=log(f _1460Å/f _2880Å). For most spectraF lies between 0.2 and 0.7. No correlation of F with orbital period, inclination, system type or (for dwarf novae) length of the interoutburst interval are found, apart from somewhat lower values ofF for DQ Her type systems. Out of 16 dwarf novae for which spectra both at outburst maximum and minimum are available 11 show no large difference inF between maximum and minimum, and in 5F declines with the flux level. Out of 6 dwarf novae 5 show very red spectra during the rise to maximum, and 1 shows slopes during rise similar to those during decline.In the ultraviolet resonance lines, due to a wind from the disc, no correlation is found between inclination and terminal velocity.Paper presented at the IAU Colloquium No. 93 on Cataclysmic Variables. Recent Multi-Frequency Observations and Theoretical Developments, held at Dr. Remeis-Sternwarte Bamberg, F.R.G., 16–19 June, 1986.     

Distribution of novae in height above the galactic plane

To test the hypothesis about the existence of two different subsystems of novae in the Galaxy, disk and bulge novae, we have constructed the spatial distribution of 64 novae in z coordinate. A large number of fast novae, believed to be disk novae, are at a considerable distance from the Galactic plane (up to z ～ 3700 pc), which cannot be explained by the photometric measurement errors. Slow novae, believed to be bulge novae, show a higher concentration to the Galactic plane (z ? 1700 pc). The application of the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test has shown that the hypothesis of two populations is valid with a probability of 95.6%.     

A possible observational constraint on the production of lithium by galactic novae

Recent computations (D'Antona and Mazzitelli, 1982), together with the general scheme of evolution of cataclysmic binaries (CBs), lead to conclude that the secondaries in those CBs having periods shorter than 4.5 hr have a large³He content in the envelope, ranging from 10^–4 (P=4.5 hr) to >2×10^–3 (P=3 hr) in mass fraction, if the nova systems have an age of some billion years. The consequence on the frequency of novae outbursts is shortly examined. If lithium is produced by galactic novae, the⁷Li content of old disk stars should be very close to the Population II content.Presented at the 5th European Workshop on White Dwarfs, Kiel, 1984.     

Venusian novae (Astra): Classification and associations to different geological environments

On the Venusian surface, there can be found a rather large population of structures with prominent radial features. The term “nova” or “astrum/astra” are used to describe this special group of volcanotectonic structures with a stellate fracture pattern radiating around a central summit or fracture. In this paper, we studied the distribution and characteristics of 74 novae to determine if there are suitable ways to categorize them and to find out how this categorization could explain the differences in nova characteristics. The nova locations establish that these structures are not distributed sporadically, but they display both latitudinal and longitudinal concentrations. In addition, it is evident that the geological environments represent the major differences between individual novae. Most of them, in general, are connected to some larger volcanotectonic unit. The differences in geological surroundings can be used as the basis for characterizing novae by dividing them into different categories: (a) novae located either within or close to a rather large deformation zone, (b) novae located on plains, (c) novae located close to tessera terrain, and (d) novae situated within volcanic areas either close to volcanoes or within an area with a high density of coronae. The analysis of this characterization establishes that geological environments are the main cause for divergent nova characteristics, i.e., differences in morphology, volcanism, and topography, which, on the other hand, are possible ways to classify novae. In particular, the morphological classification (Type I, novae with features radiating from the same point; Type II, radial structures radiating from a fissure or other linear structure; Type III, lava flows or fields covering radiant point area; Type IV, semiradial structures which do not radiate from a well-defined radiant point, fissure, or area) shows some correlations between geological environments and the type of nova, indicating that the morphological appearance and the location—and, thereby, the geologic environment—of the novae are correlated to some extent.     

Determining the photometric parameters of galactic novae from visual light curves

Based on visual estimates by AAVSO observers, we have constructed light curves for 80 Galactic novae flared up in 1986–2006 and determined the photometric parameters m _vis(max), t ₂, and t ₃ for 64 novae. Using the empirical relation M _V (max) = ?10.66(±0.33) + 2.31(±0.26) × log t ₂, we have obtained the absolute magnitudes at maximum and apparent distance moduli of the novae.     

Near-infrared observations of the novae V2491 Cygni and V597 Puppis

We present results obtained from near-infrared JHK spectroscopic observations of novae V2491 Cygni and V597 Puppis in the early declining phases of their 2007 and 2008 outbursts, respectively. In both objects, the spectra displayed emission lines of H  i , O  i , He  i and N  i . In V597 Pup, the He  i lines were found to strengthen rapidly with time. Based on the observed spectral characteristics, both objects are classified as He/N novae. We have investigated the possibility of V2491 Cyg being a recurrent nova as has been suggested. By studying the temporal evolution of the linewidths in V2491 Cyg, it appears unlikely that the binary companion is a giant star with heavy wind as in recurrent novae of the RS Oph type. Significant deviations from that of recombination case B conditions are observed in the strengths of the H  i lines. This indicates that the H  i lines, in both novae, are optically thick during the span of our observations. The slope of the continuum spectra in both cases was found to have a  λ^−(3−3.5)  dependence which deviates from a Rayleigh–Jeans spectral distribution. Both novae were detected in the post-outburst supersoft X-ray phase; V2491 Cyg being very bright in X-rays has been the target of several observations. We discuss and correlate our infrared observations with the observed X-ray properties of these novae.     

On the effect of emission lines on UBVR photometry

We investigate the effect on the U, B, V, R_C and R_J magnitudes of the removal of emission lines from a spectrum. We determined Δm corrections from the ratio of fluxes with and without emission lines, transmitted from the object through a photometric filter. An exact and simplified approach for operative use was applied. The effect was demonstrated for classical symbiotic stars, symbiotic novae and the classical nova V1974 Cyg. It was found that about 20–30%, 30–40%, 10% and 26/20% of the observed flux in the U, B, V and R_C/R_J filters, respectively, are radiated in the emission lines of the investigated classical symbiotic stars. The largest effect was found for symbiotic novae (RR Tel and V1016 Cyg) and the classical nova V1974 Cyg at 210 days (an average of 74%, 79%, 56% and 66/60%), because of their very strong emission line spectrum. In all cases, the line corrected flux points fit the theoretical continuum well. The difference between Δm corrections obtained by the accurate calculation and that given by our approximate formula is less than 10%. Deviations up to 30% can exist only in the U passband. Examples for practical applications are suggested.     

Radio emission from cataclysmic variables

The study of radio emission from cataclysmic variables (CVs) is a new and developing field. Radio emission from novae, recurrent novae, dwart novae and each of the subclasses (AM Her and DQ Her) of magnetic CVs have now been reported and are reviewed here. These observations are shown to provide, in general, a probe of the structure of the CV on length scales typically 10¹¹ cm. Radiation mechanisms, both incoherent and coherent, relevant to the observed radio emission are also discussed. These suggest that the red dwarf in AM Her and DQ Her is also magnetized and provides support for theories for the evolution of CVs which require a magnetized secondary star.Paper presented at the IAU Colloquium No. 93 on Cataclysmic Variables. Recent Multi-Frequency Observations and Theoretical Developments, held at Dr. Remeis-Sternwarte Bamberg, F.R.G., 16–19 June, 1986     

The frequency of novae in the Galaxy

Recent statistics indicate that each year an average of 3.5 novae or nova-like objects are discovered in the Galaxy. With reasonable assumptions about the completeness of the surveys, we arrive at an overall galactic production rate of 76±38 y^–1. When recurrent novae are omitted, this rate drops to 60±30 y^–1. Hence, it seems that our Galaxy is more prolific than M31 in nova production. The total amount of material released into galactic space by novae each year is about one-tenth that ejected by supernovae.Paper presented at the IAU Colloquium No. 93 on Cataclysmic Variables. Recent Multi-Frequency Observations and Theoretical Developments, held at Dr. Remeis-Sternwarte Bamberg, F.R.G., 16–19 June, 1986.     

A spectroscopic study of the envelope of the recurrent Nova CI Aquilae

Spectroscopic observations of the recurrent Nova CI Aql in the wavelength range 4000–11000 Å are presented. Its evolution is traced from maximum light to the disappearance of nebular lines. 〈E _B-V 〉 = 0.91 ± 0.11, as inferred from the Balmer decrement. The mean expansion velocity of the envelope measured near maximum light is 2800 km s^?1. The helium abundance in the Nova envelope has been found to be enhanced, ?He/H?=0.22. CI Aql is similar in spectral evolution, in change of the envelope expansion velocity, and in helium abundance to other recurrent novae.     

Orbital variations and outbursts of the unusual variable star V1129 Centauri

The variable star V1129 Cen is classified in the GCVS as being of β Lyr type. Unusual for such stars, it exhibits outbursts roughly once a year, lasting for ∼ 40 days. For this reason, a relationship to the dwarf novae has been suspected. Here, for the first time a detailed analysis of the light curve of the system is presented. Based on observations with high time resolution obtained at the Observatório do Pico dos Dias and on the long term ASAS light curve the orbital variations of the system are studied. They are dominated by ellipsoidal variations and partial eclipses of a probably slightly evolved F2 star in a binary with an orbital period of 21^h 26^m. Comparison with the characteristics of dwarf novae show that the observational properties of V1129 Cen can be explained if it is just another dwarf novae, albeit with an unusually bright and early type mass donor which outshines the accretion disk and the mass gainer to a degree that many normal photometric and spectroscopic hallmarks of cataclysmic variables remain undetected.     

Recurrent novae

A brief review of recurrent novae studies which have been undertaken in South Africa during the last ten years is given. These works have substantially altered our view of these objects as distinct sub-classes of cataclysmic variable stars. Observational results which led to new developments in our understanding of the recurrent novae are reviewed in some detail. Observations of V1017 Sgr, which had been suggested as a recurrent nova, are also mentioned.     

Photometry of EX Hya

Photometric observations of EX Hya inB andVfilters are reported. The 67 min modulation of the light curve also is found to be in good agreement with the results of earlier studies. The (B-V) colour variation with respect to the 67 min variation is found to be opposite to those of typical colour variation during hump/superhump activity in other dwarf novae. The model of an intermediate polar is discussed.     

Helium abundance in Novae

The⁴He abundance of the Nova Delphini 1967 is determined, using their nebular stage spectra, which is of the order 0.18 by number and 0.39 by mass. Our results and similar measurements on other novae show that the⁴He abundance in novae is about twice the amount predicted by the Big-Bang theory. The binary structure is the main cause of⁴He overabundance in novae.     

Kukarkin-Parenago relationship,period gap,and cause of dwarf nova outbursts

It is shown that it can be useful to incorporate the orbital period P as an additional parameter into the Kukarkin-Parenago relationship. Then it turns out that the relationship splits into two, one holding for objects above and the other for objects below the well-known and much-discussed period gap between 2.2 and 2.8 hours A = -2.03 + 2.26 log C + 8.80 log P for P > 2.2 h A = 2.07 + 2.46 log C - 3.68 log P for P > 2.8 h (A amplitude (mag), C cycle length (d), P orbital period (h)). Future theories of the dwarf nova phenomenon and the origin of the period gap will have to deal with this.     

On the possibility of systematizing classical novae by light curve type. I. Type criteria

Nova light curves, plotted on “outburst amplitude-logarithm of main shell radius” axes, have differences that can be systematized. As a result of a survey of over 90 novae, nova groups that are typical in light curve shape have been distinguished: DQ Her, CP Pup, RR Pic, PU Vul, V1974 Cyg, CP Lac, and GQ Mus. The light curve criterion is supplemented by other characteristics. The DQ Her group includes only novae having dust formation in the ejected shell. The GQ Mus group combines certain novae with smooth light curves that are separated into several subgroups with respect to outburst amplitude and the duration of the light curve section before the transitional stage, but for which the linear section of the light curve has the same slope. Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 42, No. 1, pp. 61–74, January–March, 1999.