Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics – Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2011-04-05
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
Accepted for publication in MNRAS
Scientific paper
We propose a new mechanism that produces an orbital period change during a nova outburst. When the ejected material carries away the specific angular momentum of the white dwarf, the orbital period increases. A magnetic field on the surface of the secondary star forces a fraction of the ejected material to corotate with the star, and hence the binary system. The ejected material thus takes angular momentum from the binary orbit and the orbital period decreases. We show that for sufficiently strong magnetic fields on the surface of the secondary star, the total change to the orbital period could even be negative during a nova outburst, contrary to previous expectations. Accurate determinations of pre- and post-outburst orbital periods of recurrent nova systems could test the new mechanism, in addition to providing meaningful constraints on otherwise difficult to measure physical quantities. We apply our mechanism to outbursts of the recurrent nova U Sco.
Livio Mario
Martin Rebecca G.
Schaefer Bradley E.
No associations
LandOfFree
On Orbital Period Changes in Nova Outbursts 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 On Orbital Period Changes in Nova Outbursts, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and On Orbital Period Changes in Nova Outbursts will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-321534