Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Jan 1995
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1995apj...438..917t&link_type=abstract
Astrophysical Journal, Part 1 (ISSN 0004-637X), vol. 438, no. 2, p. 917-920
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
12
Cataclysmic Variables, Echoes, H Ii Regions, Interstellar Matter, Nebulae, Novae, White Dwarf Stars, Detection, Infrared Astronomy Satellite, Morphology, Stellar Evolution, Stellar Mass Ejection
Scientific paper
The large bipolar nebula around GK Per, discovered originally by Bode et al. from IRAS data, has now been detected at H alpha. There is enhanced emission from the southwestern edge, where it is colliding with the interstellar medium. The morphology of this ridge shows striking similarity to the brightest of the light-echo features observed in 1901 and 1902. Bode et al. interpreted this nebula as an acient planetary, but there are severe problems with this interpretation: for example, the oldest known nebulae are a factor of 100 younger than the minimum age for a white dwarf in a nova. Two main explanations are considered. The first is that the nebula is composed of material accumulated from past nova events, although both its smooth morphology and the remarkably asymmetric structure of the nova shell argue against this scenario. The other is that it was produced during the quiescent mass-loss phase of the central binary, since the mass-loss rate may be substantially enhanced in this system because of the evolved nature of the secondary. A straightfoward observational test of these possibilities is suggested.
No associations
LandOfFree
Nova Persei 1901: Detection of the site of its brightest light echo does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Nova Persei 1901: Detection of the site of its brightest light echo, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Nova Persei 1901: Detection of the site of its brightest light echo will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1819117