The dust envelope of the symbiotic nova HM Sge

We have studied the brightness and color variations of the symbiotic nova HM Sge based on longterm UBVRJHKLM photometry of the star and data on its energy distribution in the middle infrared (7.7–22.7 µm) obtained with the low-resolution spectrometers of the IRAS satellite and ISO orbital observatory. We have also calculated models for the steady-state, spherically symmetrical, extended dust envelope of the star for two extreme heating cases: heating only by radiation from the cool component of the system and by the combined radiation from both components. Model fitting to the IRAS and ISO data indicates that models with a single, central Mira-type source are more appropriate. This indicates that the radiation of the hot component is largely processed by the surrounding gas, and does not substantially affect the infrared spectrum of the symbiotic nova directly. The mean spectral energy distribution based on 1983 IRAS data differs appreciably from the ISO spectrum obtained on October 1, 1996. The observed evolution of the envelope spectrum probably reflects an increase of the density and decrease of the temperature of the dust grains near the inner boundary of the envelope, related to a decrease of the luminosity and increase of the temperature of the hot component. We estimate the total mass-loss rate, velocity of gas expansion at the outer envelope boundary, and upper limit for the mass of the central source of radiation.