Infrared observations of the 2006 outburst of the recurrent nova RS Ophiuchi: The early phase

A. Evans, T. Kerr, Bin Yang, Y. Matsuoka, Y. Tsuzuki, M. F. Bode, S. P S Eyres, T. R. Geballe, C. E. Woodward, R. D. Gehrz, D. K. Lynch, R. J. Rudy, R. W. Russell, T. J. O'Brien, Sumner Starrfield, R. J. Davis, J. U. Ness, J. Drake, J. P. Osborne, K. L. PageA. Adamson, G. Schwarz, J. Krautter

Research output: Contribution to journalLetterpeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

We present infrared spectroscopy of the recurrent nova RS Ophiuchi, obtained 11.81, 20.75 and 55.71 d following its 2006 eruption. The spectra are dominated by hydrogen recombination lines, together with He I, O I and O II lines; the electron temperature of ~104 K implied by the recombination spectrum suggests that we are seeing primarily the wind of the red giant, ionized by the ultraviolet flash when RS Oph erupted. However, strong coronal emission lines (i.e. emission from fine structure transitions in ions having high ionization potential) are present in the last spectrum. These imply a temperature of 930 000 K for the coronal gas; this is in line with X-ray observations of the 2006 eruption. The emission linewidths decrease with time in a way that is consistent with the shock model for the X-ray emission.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)L1-L5
JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Volume374
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2007

Keywords

  • Binaries: symbiotic
  • Infrared: stars
  • Novae, cataclysmic variables
  • Stars: individual: RS Ophiuchi

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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