On the enhancement of CNO nuclei in nova progenitors

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics

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Carbon 12, Convective Flow, Nitrogen Isotopes, Oxygen Isotopes, Stellar Envelopes, Stellar Models, White Dwarf Stars, Abundance, Astrophysics, Novae, Nuclear Fusion, Stellar Evolution, Stellar Mass Accretion

Scientific paper

The possibility is investigated that sufficient CNO enrichment of the deeper layers of a white dwarf envelope may be produced by convective mixing in the initial stages of accretion of normal matter onto a pure carbon white dwarf. A series of quasi-static stellar-evolution calculations covering the initial phases of accretion onto a one-solar-mass pure C-12 star is carried out with specific attention given to the effects and changing structure of the convection zone. The choice of model parameters is discussed, and calculations are performed using a modified version of Lamb's (1974) stellar-evolution code. It is found that: (1) the luminosity exhibits considerable variation due to envelope readjustment to the larger hydrogen opacities in the surface layers; (2) the addition of hydrogen by accretion 'poisons' the convection zone; (3) contraction of the convection zone toward the stellar surface leaves behind a radiative region of mixed composition that is strongly CNO-enhanced as compared with the accreting matter; and (4) the region of strong CNO enhancement is approximately the region contained in the initial carbon convection zone because of strong quenching of that zone.

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