7Be detection in the 2021 outburst of RS Oph

P. Molaro, L. Izzo, P. Selvelli, P. Bonifacio, E. Aydi, G. Cescutti, E. Guido, E. J. Harvey, M. Hernanz, M. Della Valle

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Abstract

The recurrent nova RS Oph underwent a new outburst on 2021 August 8, reaching a visible brightness of V = 4.8 mag. Observations of the 2021 outburst made with the high-resolution UVES spectrograph at the Kueyen-UT2 telescope at ESO-VLT in Parana) enabled detection of the possible presence of Be-7 newly made in the thermonuclear runaway reactions. The Be-7 yields can be estimated at N(Be-7)/N(H) = 5.7 x 10(-6), which are close to the lowest yields measured in classical novae so far. Be-7 is short-lived and decays only into Li-7. By means of a spectrum taken during the nebular phase we estimated an ejected mass of approximate to 1.1 x 10(-5) M-circle dot, providing an amount of approximate to 4.4 x 10(-10) M-circle dot of Li-7 created in the 2021 event. Recurrent novae of the RS Oph type may synthesize slightly lower amounts of Li-7 per event than classical novae, but occur 10(3) times more frequently. The recurrent novae fraction is in the range of 10-30 per cent and they could have contributed to the making of the Li-7 that we observe today. The detection of Be-7 in RS Oph provides further support to the recent suggestion that novae are the most effective source of Li-7 in the Galaxy.

Original languageEnglish
JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Volume518
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)2614-2626
Number of pages13
ISSN0035-8711
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 24 Sep 2022

Keywords

  • stars: individual: RS Oph; stars: novae
  • novae, cataclysmic variables
  • Galaxy: abundances
  • Galaxy: evolution
  • GAMMA-RAY LINES
  • RECURRENT NOVA
  • CLASSICAL NOVAE
  • LITHIUM
  • LI-7
  • OPHIUCHI
  • EVOLUTION
  • EMISSION
  • PROGENITORS
  • ABSORPTION

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