Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2004-10-05
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
6 pages, 2 figures, to appear in the proceedings of The Astrophysics of Cataclysmic Variables and Related Objects, held in Str
Scientific paper
We performed extensive, multi-wavelength observations of the prototypical symbiotic star Z Andromedae between 2000 and 2003, during a large eruption. The rise to optical maximum occurred in three distinct stages. During the first stage, the rise was very similar to an earlier, small outburst which we determined was due to an accretion-disk instability. In the second stage, an optically thick shell of material was ejected, and in the third stage, the shell cleared to reveal a white dwarf whose luminosity was roughly 10^4 Lsun. We suggest that the outburst was powered by an increase in the rate of nuclear burning on the white-dwarf surface, triggered by a sudden burst of accretion. This outburst thus combined elements of both dwarf novae and classical novae.
Aufdenberg Jason
Brocksopp Catherine
Charles Phil A.
Espey Brian R.
Filippenko Alexei V.
No associations
LandOfFree
A New Kind of Nova 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 A New Kind of Nova, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and A New Kind of Nova will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-102253