scholarly journals New Insights into Classical Novae

2021 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Chomiuk ◽  
Brian D. Metzger ◽  
Ken J. Shen
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Rays ◽  
Binary Systems ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Annual Review ◽  
Publication Date ◽  
Classical Novae ◽  
Bolometric Luminosity ◽  
Nuclear Burning ◽  
Thermonuclear Runaway ◽  
Mass Ejection

We survey our understanding of classical novae—nonterminal, thermonuclear eruptions on the surfaces of white dwarfs in binary systems. The recent and unexpected discovery of GeV gamma rays from Galactic novae has highlighted the complexity of novae and their value as laboratories for studying shocks and particle acceleration. We review half a century of nova literature through this new lens, and conclude the following: ▪ The basics of the thermonuclear runaway theory of novae are confirmed by observations. The white dwarf sustains surface nuclear burning for some time after runaway, and until recently, it was commonly believed that radiation from this nuclear burning solely determines the nova's bolometric luminosity. ▪ The processes by which novae eject material from the binary system remain poorly understood. Mass loss from novae is complex (sometimes fluctuating in rate, velocity, and morphology) and often prolonged in time over weeks, months, or years. ▪ The complexity of the mass ejection leads to gamma-ray-producing shocks internal to the nova ejecta. When gamma rays are detected (around optical maximum), the shocks are deeply embedded and the surrounding gas is very dense. ▪ Observations of correlated optical and gamma-ray light curves confirm that the shocks are radiative and contribute significantly to the bolometric luminosity of novae. Novae are therefore the closest and most common interaction-powered transients. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Volume 59 is September 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

scholarly journals Two-dimensional simulations of mixing in classical novae: The effect of white dwarf composition and mass

2018 ◽  
Vol 619 ◽  
pp. A121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordi Casanova ◽  
Jordi José ◽  
Steven N. Shore
Keyword(s):  
White Dwarf ◽  
Binary Systems ◽  
Main Sequence ◽  
Chemical Species ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Classical Novae ◽  
Nova Shells ◽  
Solar Abundances ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
Thermonuclear Runaway

Context. Classical novae are explosive phenomena that take place in stellar binary systems. They are powered by mass transfer from a low-mass main sequence star onto either a CO or ONe white dwarf. The material accumulates for 104–105 yr until ignition under degenerate conditions, resulting in a thermonuclear runaway. The nuclear energy released produces peak temperatures of ∼0.1–0.4 GK. During these events, 10−7−10−3 M⊙ enriched in intermediate-mass elements, with respect to solar abundances, are ejected into the interstellar medium. However, the origin of the large metallicity enhancements and the inhomogeneous distribution of chemical species observed in high-resolution spectra of ejected nova shells is not fully understood. Aims. Recent multidimensional simulations have demonstrated that Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities that operate at the core-envelope interface can naturally produce self-enrichment of the accreted envelope with material from the underlying white dwarf at levels that agree with observations. However, such multidimensional simulations have been performed for a small number of cases and much of the parameter space remains unexplored. Methods. We investigated the dredge-up, driven by Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities, for white dwarf masses in the range 0.8–1.25 M⊙ and different core compositions, that is, CO-rich and ONe-rich substrates. We present a set of five numerical simulations performed in two dimensions aimed at analyzing the possible impact of the white dwarf mass, and composition, on the metallicity enhancement and explosion characteristics. Results. At the time we stop the simulations, we observe greater mixing (∼30% higher when measured in the same conditions) and more energetic outbursts for ONe-rich substrates than for CO-rich substrates and more massive white dwarfs.

scholarly journals The Variable Ṁ Scenario for Nova Outbursts

1987 ◽  
Vol 93 ◽  
pp. 419-429
Author(s):  
A. Kovetz ◽  
D. Prialnik ◽  
M.M. Shara
Keyword(s):  
Mass Transfer ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Transfer Rates ◽  
Classical Novae ◽  
Binary Separation ◽  
Classical Nova ◽  
The One ◽  
Thermonuclear Runaway ◽  
Mass Ejection ◽  
Nova Outbursts

AbstractAn evolutionary scenario for classical novae is proposed, which is intended to solve the discrepancies that exist between theory and observations: the space densities of classical novae deduced from surveys in the solar neighbourhood are lower by about two orders of magnitude than those predicted theoretically, and the mass transfer rates in nova binaries, as estimated from observed luminosities in quiescence, are higher than those allowed by the thermonuclear runaway model for nova outbursts. These discrepancies disappear if mass transfer (at a high rate) takes place for only a few hundred years before and a few hundred years after an eruption, but declines afterwards and remains off for most of the time between outbursts. We show that such a behavior is to be expected if one takes into account the variation of binary separation, due to mass ejection on the one hand and angular momentum losses on the other hand.One of the aspects of this scenario, on which we report in more detail, is the possibility of enhanced Roche-lobe overflow of the secondary, due to its expansion that results from irradiation by the high nova luminosity. We followed the evolution of a 0.5M⊙ main sequence star illuminated by a changing flux, typical of a classical nova. The numerical results indicate that, in spite of the slight binary separation that may occur after eruption, mass loss from the irradiated and thus bloated secondary should continue for a few hundred years. Other aspects of the variable Ṁ scenario are briefly summarized.

scholarly journals Observational Constraints on Black Hole Spin

2021 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher S. Reynolds
Keyword(s):  
Black Holes ◽  
Black Hole ◽  
Gravitational Wave ◽  
Binary Systems ◽  
Annual Review ◽  
Formation Mechanisms ◽  
Publication Date ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Spin Effects ◽  
Black Hole Spin

The spin of a black hole is an important quantity to study, providing a window into the processes by which a black hole was born and grew. Furthermore, spin can be a potent energy source for powering relativistic jets and energetic particle acceleration. In this review, I describe the techniques currently used to detect and measure the spins of black holes. It is shown that: ▪ Two well-understood techniques, X-ray reflection spectroscopy and thermal continuum fitting, can be used to measure the spins of black holes that are accreting at moderate rates. There is a rich set of other electromagnetic techniques allowing us to extend spin measurements to lower accretion rates. ▪ Many accreting supermassive black holes are found to be rapidly spinning, although a population of more slowly spinning black holes emerges at masses above M > 3 × 107 M⊙ expected from recent structure formation models. ▪ Many accreting stellar-mass black holes in X-ray binary systems are rapidly spinning and must have been born in this state. ▪ The advent of gravitational wave astronomy has enabled the detection of spin effects in merging binary black holes. Most of the premerger black holes are found to be slowly spinning, a notable exception being an object that may itself be a merger product. ▪ The stark difference in spins between the black hole X-ray binary and the binary black hole populations shows that there is a diversity of formation mechanisms. Given the array of new electromagnetic and gravitational wave capabilities currently being planned, the future of black hole spin studies is bright. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Nutrition, Volume 41 is September 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

scholarly journals Ultraviolet Observations of Classical Novae in Outburst

1990 ◽  
Vol 122 ◽  
pp. 115-126
Author(s):  
Angelo Cassatella ◽  
Rosario Gonzalez-Riestra
Keyword(s):  
Binary Systems ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Accurate Determination ◽  
Optical Data ◽  
Detailed Knowledge ◽  
Chemical Abundances ◽  
Mixing Processes ◽  
Classical Novae ◽  
Ultraviolet Observations ◽  
Mass Ejection

More than a dozen classical novae in outburst have been observed with the International Ultraviolet Explorer since its launch in 1978. These data represent a crucial breakthrough in understanding several aspects of the classical novae phenomenon including nucleosynthesis, the energetics of the explosion, the dynamics of the mass ejection, and the processes of dust formation. Also they are important to gain insight on the nature of the white dwarf components and then on the evolutionary scenario of these binary systems.The UV emission lines include important transitions from several species such as He, C, N and O, Ne, Mg, and Al which, whenever symultaneous optical data were available, have lead to a detailed knowledge of the physical conditions in the nebular phases and to the determination, with unprecedented accuracy, of the chemical abundances in the ejecta (see e.g.: Stickland et al. 1981; Williams et al. 1985; Snijders et al. 1987). Precise abundance determinations provide crucial constraints on nucleosinthesis during TNR as well as on the efficiency of diffusion and mixing processes. The ultraviolet range provides also effective means to determine the value of the reddening from the strength of the 2200 A dust feature or from the emission line ratios; an accurate determination of this parameter from the UV is essential, for example, to determine the energy budget of novae and the temperature of the remnants.

On the possible gamma-ray source in Cygnus

1967 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
pp. 469-471
Author(s):  
J. G. Duthie ◽  
M. P. Savedoff ◽  
R. Cobb
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Rays ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Right Ascension

A source of gamma rays has been found at right ascension 20h15m, declination +35°, with an uncertainty of 6° in each coordinate. Its flux is (1·5 ± 0·8) x 10-4photons cm-2sec-1at 100 MeV. Possible identifications are reviewed, but no conclusion is reached. The mechanism producing the radiation is also uncertain.

Solar Flare Energetic Neutral Emission Measurements in the Project Coronas-I

1994 ◽  
Vol 144 ◽  
pp. 635-639
Author(s):  
J. Baláž ◽  
A. V. Dmitriev ◽  
M. A. Kovalevskaya ◽  
K. Kudela ◽  
S. N. Kuznetsov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Flare ◽  
Energy Range ◽  
Gamma Rays ◽  
Pulse Shape ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Pulse Shape Discrimination ◽  
Shape Discrimination ◽  
Solar Neutron ◽  
Low Altitude

AbstractThe experiment SONG (SOlar Neutron and Gamma rays) for the low altitude satellite CORONAS-I is described. The instrument is capable to provide gamma-ray line and continuum detection in the energy range 0.1 – 100 MeV as well as detection of neutrons with energies above 30 MeV. As a by-product, the electrons in the range 11 – 108 MeV will be measured too. The pulse shape discrimination technique (PSD) is used.

scholarly journals On a Possible Origin of the Gamma-ray Excess around the Galactic Center

Symmetry ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1432
Author(s):  
Dmitry O. Chernyshov ◽  
Andrei E. Egorov ◽  
Vladimir A. Dogiel ◽  
Alexei V. Ivlev
Keyword(s):  
Dark Matter ◽  
Gamma Rays ◽  
Molecular Clouds ◽  
Alternative Explanation ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Galactic Center ◽  
The Self ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Mhd Turbulence ◽  
The Standard Model

Recent observations of gamma rays with the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) in the direction of the inner galaxy revealed a mysterious excess of GeV. Its intensity is significantly above predictions of the standard model of cosmic rays (CRs) generation and propagation with a peak in the spectrum around a few GeV. Popular interpretations of this excess are that it is due to either spherically distributed annihilating dark matter (DM) or an abnormal population of millisecond pulsars. We suggest an alternative explanation of the excess through the CR interactions with molecular clouds in the Galactic Center (GC) region. We assumed that the excess could be imitated by the emission of molecular clouds with depleted density of CRs with energies below ∼10 GeV inside. A novelty of our work is in detailed elaboration of the depletion mechanism of CRs with the mentioned energies through the “barrier” near the cloud edge formed by the self-excited MHD turbulence. This depletion of CRs inside the clouds may be a reason for the deficit of gamma rays from the Central Molecular Zone (CMZ) at energies below a few GeV. This in turn changes the ratio between various emission components at those energies and may potentially absorb the GeV excess by a simple renormalization of key components.

scholarly journals GAMMA RAY - INDUCED MITOTIC ABNORMALITIES IN Helianthus annuus L. VARIETY EKIZ 1 / LOS RAYOS DE GAMMA CAUSA ANORMALIDADES MITOTICAS EN Helianthus annuus L. VARIEDAD DE EKIZ 1 / LES ANORMALITÉS MITOTIQUES CHARGÉÉS DES RAYONS GAMMA

Helia ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 24 (35) ◽  
pp. 39-46
Author(s):  
Orhan Arslan ◽  
Şenol Bal ◽  
Nilgün Venice ◽  
Semra Mirici
Keyword(s):  
Helianthus Annuus ◽  
Mitotic Index ◽  
Gamma Rays ◽  
Metaphase Chromosome ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Dose Increase ◽  
Helianthus Annuus L ◽  
Mitotic Abnormalities ◽  
Chromosome Stickiness

SUMMARYIn this study, mitotic effects of gamma rays on Ekiz 1 variety belonging to Helianthus annuus L. (2n= 34) in the M0 (first irradiated seeds), M1 and M2 generations have been investigated. Seeds (M0) were irradiated with gamma rays at 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 kR doses. Percentage of total abnormalities in the M0, M1 and M2 generations increased parallel to the increasing dose of radiation. These abnormalites have been observed as C-metaphase, chromosome stickiness, laggards and bridges with or without fragment. Mitotic index (M.I.) in the M0, M1 and M2 generations has decreased parallel to the dose increase. When the generations are compared, both the amounts of decrease in mitotic index and in the percentage of mitotic abnormalities were mostly observed in M0.

scholarly journals Modeling Gamma-Ray SEDs and Angular Extensions of Extreme TeV Blazars from Intergalactic Proton-Initiated Cascades in Contemporary Astrophysical EGMF Models

Universe ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. 220
Author(s):  
Emil Khalikov
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Rays ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Cascade Model ◽  
Point Sources ◽  
Spectral Energy ◽  
Observation Data ◽  
Cherenkov Telescopes ◽  
The Universe

The intrinsic spectra of some distant blazars known as “extreme TeV blazars” have shown a hint at an anomalous hardening in the TeV energy region. Several extragalactic propagation models have been proposed to explain this possible excess transparency of the Universe to gamma-rays starting from a model which assumes the existence of so-called axion-like particles (ALPs) and the new process of gamma-ALP oscillations. Alternative models suppose that some of the observable gamma-rays are produced in the intergalactic cascades. This work focuses on investigating the spectral and angular features of one of the cascade models, the Intergalactic Hadronic Cascade Model (IHCM) in the contemporary astrophysical models of Extragalactic Magnetic Field (EGMF). For IHCM, EGMF largely determines the deflection of primary cosmic rays and electrons of intergalactic cascades and, thus, is of vital importance. Contemporary Hackstein models are considered in this paper and compared to the model of Dolag. The models assumed are based on simulations of the local part of large-scale structure of the Universe and differ in the assumptions for the seed field. This work provides spectral energy distributions (SEDs) and angular extensions of two extreme TeV blazars, 1ES 0229+200 and 1ES 0414+009. It is demonstrated that observable SEDs inside a typical point spread function of imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes (IACTs) for IHCM would exhibit a characteristic high-energy attenuation compared to the ones obtained in hadronic models that do not consider EGMF, which makes it possible to distinguish among these models. At the same time, the spectra for IHCM models would have longer high energy tails than some available spectra for the ALP models and the universal spectra for the Electromagnetic Cascade Model (ECM). The analysis of the IHCM observable angular extensions shows that the sources would likely be identified by most IACTs not as point sources but rather as extended ones. These spectra could later be compared with future observation data of such instruments as Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) and LHAASO.

scholarly journals Nuclear burning in collapsar accretion discs

2020 ◽  
Vol 499 (3) ◽  
pp. 4097-4113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yossef Zenati ◽  
Daniel M Siegel ◽  
Brian D Metzger ◽  
Hagai B Perets
Keyword(s):  
Angular Momentum ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Nuclear Reactions ◽  
Reaction Network ◽  
Accretion Discs ◽  
Late Time ◽  
Rotating Stars ◽  
Stellar Envelope ◽  
Nuclear Burning ◽  
R Process

ABSTRACT The core collapse of massive, rapidly-rotating stars are thought to be the progenitors of long-duration gamma-ray bursts (GRB) and their associated hyperenergetic supernovae (SNe). At early times after the collapse, relatively low angular momentum material from the infalling stellar envelope will circularize into an accretion disc located just outside the black hole horizon, resulting in high accretion rates necessary to power a GRB jet. Temperatures in the disc mid-plane at these small radii are sufficiently high to dissociate nuclei, while outflows from the disc can be neutron-rich and may synthesize r-process nuclei. However, at later times, and for high progenitor angular momentum, the outer layers of the stellar envelope can circularize at larger radii ≳ 107 cm, where nuclear reactions can take place in the disc mid-plane (e.g. 4He + 16O → 20Ne + γ). Here we explore the effects of nuclear burning on collapsar accretion discs and their outflows by means of hydrodynamical α-viscosity torus simulations coupled to a 19-isotope nuclear reaction network, which are designed to mimic the late infall epochs in collapsar evolution when the viscous time of the torus has become comparable to the envelope fall-back time. Our results address several key questions, such as the conditions for quiescent burning and accretion versus detonation and the generation of 56Ni in disc outflows, which we show could contribute significantly to powering GRB SNe. Being located in the slowest, innermost layers of the ejecta, the latter could provide the radioactive heating source necessary to make the spectral signatures of r-process elements visible in late-time GRB-SNe spectra.

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