Recent observational and theoretical studies of the classical nova outburst

Many facets of astrophysics are captured in classical novae (CNe) eruptions, making these systems unique laboratories to investigate several poorly understood processes, many in real time. CNe may also be related to the super-soft sources, the likely progenitors of SN Ia explosions. Spectra of CNe ejecta, from X-ray to infrared (IR) wavelengths, are remarkable for the changing elemental and ionic content as the ejecta temporally evolves — often exhibiting a variety of low-energy permitted lines of CNO and Fe II, high ionization lines, e.g., [Fe VIII] λ 6078 A, and IR “coronal” lines (few 100 eV transitions) of metals such as Ne, Si, S, and Ar. At higher energies, X-ray and UV emission in CNe comes from the nuclear burning of residual accreted material on the white dwarf surface after the initial outburst; this emission directly probes processes powering the post-outburst evolution of the white dwarf and the ejecta. Some nova systems are observed to form dust, making CNe one of the known in situ stellar so...

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