The neon abundance in the ejecta of QU vulpeculae from late-epoch infrared spectra

Robert D. Gehrz; Charles E. Woodward; L. Andrew Helton; Elisha F. Polomski; Thomas L. Hayward; James R. Houck; A. Evans; Joachim Krautter; Steven N. Shore; Sumner Starrfield; James Truran; G. J. Schwarz; R. Mark Wagner

doi:10.1086/523660

The neon abundance in the ejecta of QU vulpeculae from late-epoch infrared spectra

Robert D. Gehrz, Charles E. Woodward, L. Andrew Helton, Elisha F. Polomski, Thomas L. Hayward, James R. Houck, A. Evans, Joachim Krautter, Steven N. Shore, Sumner Starrfield, James Truran, G. J. Schwarz, R. Mark Wagner

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12 Scopus citations

Abstract

We present ground-based SpectroCam-10 mid-infrared, MMT optical, and Spitzer Space Telescope IRS mid-infrared spectra taken 7.62, 18.75, and 19.38 yr, respectively, after the outburst of the old classical nova QU Vulpeculae (Nova Vul 1984#2). The spectra of the ejecta are dominated by forbidden line emission from neon and oxygen. Our analysis shows that neon was, at the first and last epochs respectively, more than 76 and 168 times overabundant by number with respect to hydrogen compared to the solar value. These high lower limits to the neon abundance confirm that QU VuI involved a thermonuclear runaway on an ONeMg white dwarf, and approach the yields predicted by models of the nucleosynthesis in such events.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	1167-1173
Number of pages	7
Journal	Astrophysical Journal
Volume	672
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1086/523660
State	Published - Jan 10 2008

Keywords

Infrared: stars
Novae, cataclysmic variables
Stars: individual (QU Vul, Nova Vul 1984 #2)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Astronomy and Astrophysics
Space and Planetary Science

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@article{b307db8c116445d882d6b30964b31ff6,

title = "The neon abundance in the ejecta of QU vulpeculae from late-epoch infrared spectra",

abstract = "We present ground-based SpectroCam-10 mid-infrared, MMT optical, and Spitzer Space Telescope IRS mid-infrared spectra taken 7.62, 18.75, and 19.38 yr, respectively, after the outburst of the old classical nova QU Vulpeculae (Nova Vul 1984#2). The spectra of the ejecta are dominated by forbidden line emission from neon and oxygen. Our analysis shows that neon was, at the first and last epochs respectively, more than 76 and 168 times overabundant by number with respect to hydrogen compared to the solar value. These high lower limits to the neon abundance confirm that QU VuI involved a thermonuclear runaway on an ONeMg white dwarf, and approach the yields predicted by models of the nucleosynthesis in such events.",

keywords = "Infrared: stars, Novae, cataclysmic variables, Stars: individual (QU Vul, Nova Vul 1984 #2)",

author = "Gehrz, {Robert D.} and Woodward, {Charles E.} and Helton, {L. Andrew} and Polomski, {Elisha F.} and Hayward, {Thomas L.} and Houck, {James R.} and A. Evans and Joachim Krautter and Shore, {Steven N.} and Sumner Starrfield and James Truran and Schwarz, {G. J.} and Wagner, {R. Mark}",

year = "2008",

month = jan,

day = "10",

doi = "10.1086/523660",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "672",

pages = "1167--1173",

journal = "Astrophysical Journal",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - The neon abundance in the ejecta of QU vulpeculae from late-epoch infrared spectra

AU - Gehrz, Robert D.

AU - Woodward, Charles E.

AU - Helton, L. Andrew

AU - Polomski, Elisha F.

AU - Hayward, Thomas L.

AU - Houck, James R.

AU - Evans, A.

AU - Krautter, Joachim

AU - Shore, Steven N.

AU - Starrfield, Sumner

AU - Truran, James

AU - Schwarz, G. J.

AU - Wagner, R. Mark

PY - 2008/1/10

Y1 - 2008/1/10

N2 - We present ground-based SpectroCam-10 mid-infrared, MMT optical, and Spitzer Space Telescope IRS mid-infrared spectra taken 7.62, 18.75, and 19.38 yr, respectively, after the outburst of the old classical nova QU Vulpeculae (Nova Vul 1984#2). The spectra of the ejecta are dominated by forbidden line emission from neon and oxygen. Our analysis shows that neon was, at the first and last epochs respectively, more than 76 and 168 times overabundant by number with respect to hydrogen compared to the solar value. These high lower limits to the neon abundance confirm that QU VuI involved a thermonuclear runaway on an ONeMg white dwarf, and approach the yields predicted by models of the nucleosynthesis in such events.

AB - We present ground-based SpectroCam-10 mid-infrared, MMT optical, and Spitzer Space Telescope IRS mid-infrared spectra taken 7.62, 18.75, and 19.38 yr, respectively, after the outburst of the old classical nova QU Vulpeculae (Nova Vul 1984#2). The spectra of the ejecta are dominated by forbidden line emission from neon and oxygen. Our analysis shows that neon was, at the first and last epochs respectively, more than 76 and 168 times overabundant by number with respect to hydrogen compared to the solar value. These high lower limits to the neon abundance confirm that QU VuI involved a thermonuclear runaway on an ONeMg white dwarf, and approach the yields predicted by models of the nucleosynthesis in such events.

KW - Infrared: stars

KW - Novae, cataclysmic variables

KW - Stars: individual (QU Vul, Nova Vul 1984 #2)

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U2 - 10.1086/523660

DO - 10.1086/523660

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:40249111546

SN - 0004-637X

VL - 672

SP - 1167

EP - 1173

JO - Astrophysical Journal

JF - Astrophysical Journal

IS - 2

ER -

The neon abundance in the ejecta of QU vulpeculae from late-epoch infrared spectra

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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