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.