A 70 pc Diameter Nova Superremnant Surrounding the Recurrent Nova RS Ophiuchi

Michael M. Shara; Kenneth M. Lanzetta; Alexandra Masegian; James T. Garland; Stefan Gromoll; Alexei Kniazev; Lee Townsend; David Zurek; Joanna Mikolajewska; David Valls-Gabaud; Frederick M. Walter; John K. Webb

doi:10.3847/1538-3881/addb44

A 70 pc Diameter Nova Superremnant Surrounding the Recurrent Nova RS Ophiuchi

Michael M. Shara
, Kenneth M. Lanzetta
, Alexandra Masegian
, James T. Garland
, Stefan Gromoll
, Alexei Kniazev
, Lee Townsend
, David Zurek
, Joanna Mikolajewska
, David Valls-Gabaud
, Frederick M. Walter
, John K. Webb

Physics and Astronomy

American Museum of Natural History
Columbia University
University of Toronto
Amazon.com, Inc.
South African Astronomical Observatory
Southern African Large Telescope
Lomonosov Moscow State University
Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center of the Polish Academy of Sciences
PSL University
University of Cambridge

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Recurrent novae undergo thermonuclear-powered eruptions separated by less than 100 yr, enabled by subgiant or red giant donors transferring hydrogen-rich matter at very high rates onto their massive white dwarf companions. The most rapidly moving parts of envelopes ejected in successive recurrent nova events are predicted to overtake and collide with the slowest ejecta of the previous eruption, leading to the buildup of vast (∼10-100 pc) superremnants surrounding all recurrent novae, but only three examples are currently known. We report deep narrowband imaging and spectroscopy, which have revealed a ∼70 pc diameter shell surrounding the frequently recurring nova RS Ophiuchi. We estimate the superremnant mass to be ∼20-200 M_⊙, expanding at a few tens of km/s, with an age of order 50-100 kyr. Its extremely low surface brightness and large angular size help explain the hitherto surprising absence of nova superremnants. Our results support the prediction that all recurrent novae are surrounded by similar extended structures.

Original language	English
Article number	56
Journal	Astronomical Journal
Volume	170
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-3881/addb44
State	Published - Jul 1 2025

Access to Document

10.3847/1538-3881/addb44

Cite this

@article{662ec110cfb84f5c8afd5cf63a3af098,

title = "A 70 pc Diameter Nova Superremnant Surrounding the Recurrent Nova RS Ophiuchi",

abstract = "Recurrent novae undergo thermonuclear-powered eruptions separated by less than 100 yr, enabled by subgiant or red giant donors transferring hydrogen-rich matter at very high rates onto their massive white dwarf companions. The most rapidly moving parts of envelopes ejected in successive recurrent nova events are predicted to overtake and collide with the slowest ejecta of the previous eruption, leading to the buildup of vast (∼10-100 pc) superremnants surrounding all recurrent novae, but only three examples are currently known. We report deep narrowband imaging and spectroscopy, which have revealed a ∼70 pc diameter shell surrounding the frequently recurring nova RS Ophiuchi. We estimate the superremnant mass to be ∼20-200 M⊙, expanding at a few tens of km/s, with an age of order 50-100 kyr. Its extremely low surface brightness and large angular size help explain the hitherto surprising absence of nova superremnants. Our results support the prediction that all recurrent novae are surrounded by similar extended structures.",

author = "Shara, \{Michael M.\} and Lanzetta, \{Kenneth M.\} and Alexandra Masegian and Garland, \{James T.\} and Stefan Gromoll and Alexei Kniazev and Lee Townsend and David Zurek and Joanna Mikolajewska and David Valls-Gabaud and Walter, \{Frederick M.\} and Webb, \{John K.\}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2025. The Author(s). Published by the American Astronomical Society.",

year = "2025",

month = jul,

day = "1",

doi = "10.3847/1538-3881/addb44",

language = "English",

volume = "170",

journal = "Astronomical Journal",

issn = "0004-6256",

number = "1",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - A 70 pc Diameter Nova Superremnant Surrounding the Recurrent Nova RS Ophiuchi

AU - Shara, Michael M.

AU - Lanzetta, Kenneth M.

AU - Masegian, Alexandra

AU - Garland, James T.

AU - Gromoll, Stefan

AU - Kniazev, Alexei

AU - Townsend, Lee

AU - Zurek, David

AU - Mikolajewska, Joanna

AU - Valls-Gabaud, David

AU - Walter, Frederick M.

AU - Webb, John K.

PY - 2025/7/1

Y1 - 2025/7/1

N2 - Recurrent novae undergo thermonuclear-powered eruptions separated by less than 100 yr, enabled by subgiant or red giant donors transferring hydrogen-rich matter at very high rates onto their massive white dwarf companions. The most rapidly moving parts of envelopes ejected in successive recurrent nova events are predicted to overtake and collide with the slowest ejecta of the previous eruption, leading to the buildup of vast (∼10-100 pc) superremnants surrounding all recurrent novae, but only three examples are currently known. We report deep narrowband imaging and spectroscopy, which have revealed a ∼70 pc diameter shell surrounding the frequently recurring nova RS Ophiuchi. We estimate the superremnant mass to be ∼20-200 M⊙, expanding at a few tens of km/s, with an age of order 50-100 kyr. Its extremely low surface brightness and large angular size help explain the hitherto surprising absence of nova superremnants. Our results support the prediction that all recurrent novae are surrounded by similar extended structures.

AB - Recurrent novae undergo thermonuclear-powered eruptions separated by less than 100 yr, enabled by subgiant or red giant donors transferring hydrogen-rich matter at very high rates onto their massive white dwarf companions. The most rapidly moving parts of envelopes ejected in successive recurrent nova events are predicted to overtake and collide with the slowest ejecta of the previous eruption, leading to the buildup of vast (∼10-100 pc) superremnants surrounding all recurrent novae, but only three examples are currently known. We report deep narrowband imaging and spectroscopy, which have revealed a ∼70 pc diameter shell surrounding the frequently recurring nova RS Ophiuchi. We estimate the superremnant mass to be ∼20-200 M⊙, expanding at a few tens of km/s, with an age of order 50-100 kyr. Its extremely low surface brightness and large angular size help explain the hitherto surprising absence of nova superremnants. Our results support the prediction that all recurrent novae are surrounded by similar extended structures.

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105009369495

U2 - 10.3847/1538-3881/addb44

DO - 10.3847/1538-3881/addb44

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:105009369495

SN - 0004-6256

VL - 170

JO - Astronomical Journal

JF - Astronomical Journal

IS - 1

M1 - 56

ER -

A 70 pc Diameter Nova Superremnant Surrounding the Recurrent Nova RS Ophiuchi

Abstract

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Cite this