Infrared observations of the recurrent nova T Pyxidis: ancient dust basks in the warm glow of the 2011 outburst

Abstract

We present Spitzer Space Telescope and Herschel Space Observatory infrared observations of the recurrent nova T Pyx during its 2011 eruption, complemented by ground-base opticalinfrared photometry. We find that the eruption has heated dust in the pre-existing nebulosity associated with T Pyx. This is most likely interstellar dust swept up by T Pyx -either during previous eruptions or by a wind -rather than the accumulation of dust produced during eruptions.

The spectroscopic evolution of the recurrent nova T Pyxidis during its 2011 outburst

“…This agrees with the interferometric imaging (and perhaps also with the infrared emission described by Evans et al 2012). The relative contributions of the inner and outer portions of the polar lobes change systematically in time.…”

“…In contrast, Schaefer et al (2010) derived a mass for the matter that they identify with a single classical nova-like outburst of 1866, M ej ∼ 3 × 10 −5 M . Selvelli et al (2009) and, more recently, Evans et al (2012) have also argued that the mass of the accumulated flotsam of previous ejections may be considerably greater, perhaps a factor of order 100, than that of a single event. Evans et al (2012) based this on the infrared light curve of the 2011 event that they explain as a light echo from the previously ejected material 5 .…”

The spectroscopic evolution of the recurrent nova T Pyxidis during its 2011 outburst. II.The optically thin phase and the structure of the ejecta in recurrent novae

“…The observed line profiles during the optically thin stages of the expansion of T Pyx can be explained by a unified model in which the ejecta have an axial (bipolar) symmetry with the expansion directed at low inclination to the line of sight. This agrees with the interferometric imaging (and perhaps also with the infrared emission described by Evans et al (2012)). The relative contributions of the inner and outer portions of the po-lar lobes change systematically in time.…”

“…In contrast, Schaefer et al (2010) derived a mass for the matter that they identify with a single classical nova-like outburst of 1866, M e j ∼ 3 × 10 −5 M ⊙ . Selvelli et al (2009) and, more recently, Evans et al (2012) have also argued that the mass of the accumulated flotsam of previous ejections may be considerably greater, perhaps a factor of order 100, than that of a single event. Evans et al (2012) based this on the infrared light curve of the 2011 event that they explain as a light echo from the previously ejected material.…”

THE 2011 OUTBURST OF RECURRENT NOVA T Pyx: X-RAY OBSERVATIONS EXPOSE THE WHITE DWARF MASS AND EJECTION DYNAMICS

“…With multi-wavelength data collected from the 2011 outburst, we can measure key properties of the nova event, like ejected mass, and compare them with predictions from nova models. With this goal in mind, campaigns have been carried out across the entire electromagnetic spectrum, providing an exquisitely detailed picture of the 2011 nova outburst of T Pyx (Chesneau et al 2011;Kuulkers et al 2011a,b;Shore et al 2011Shore et al , 2013Evans et al 2012;Imamura & Tanabe 2012;Nelson et al 2014;Ederoclite 2013;Williams 2013;Schaefer et al 2013;Patterson et al 2013;Sokoloski et al 2013;Tofflemire et al 2013;De Gennaro Aquino et al 2014;Godon et al 2014;Surina et al 2014).…”