The helium abundance in the ejecta of U Scorpii

M. P. Maxwell; M. T. Rushton; M. J. Darnley; H. L. Worters; M. F. Bode; A. Evans; S. P.S. Eyres; M. B.N. Kouwenhoven; F. M. Walter; B. J.M. Hassall

doi:10.1111/j.1365-2966.2011.19803.x

The helium abundance in the ejecta of U Scorpii

M. P. Maxwell^*, M. T. Rushton, M. J. Darnley, H. L. Worters, M. F. Bode, A. Evans, S. P.S. Eyres, M. B.N. Kouwenhoven, F. M. Walter, B. J.M. Hassall

^*Corresponding author for this work

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

9 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

U Scorpii (U Sco) is a recurrent nova which has been observed in outburst on 10 occasions, most recently in 2010. We present near-infrared (near-IR) and optical spectroscopy of the 2010 outburst of U Sco. The reddening of U Sco is found to beE(B-V) = 0.14 ± 0.12, consistent with previous determinations, from simultaneous optical and near-IR observations. The spectra show the evolution of the linewidths and profiles to be consistent with previous outbursts. Velocities are found to be up to 14000kms^-1 in broad components and up to 1800kms^-1 in narrow-line components, which become visible around day 8 due to changes in the optical depth. From the spectra we derive a helium abundance ofN(He)/N(H) = 0.073 ± 0.031 from the most reliable lines available; this is lower than most other estimates and indicates that the secondary is not helium-rich, as previous studies have suggested.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1465-1471
Number of pages	7
Journal	Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Volume	419
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2966.2011.19803.x
Publication status	Published - Jan 2012
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Infrared: stars
Novae, cataclysmic variables
Stars: individual: U Sco

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10.1111/j.1365-2966.2011.19803.x

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@article{354278e90ff0405486d38dd1571914bd,

title = "The helium abundance in the ejecta of U Scorpii",

abstract = "U Scorpii (U Sco) is a recurrent nova which has been observed in outburst on 10 occasions, most recently in 2010. We present near-infrared (near-IR) and optical spectroscopy of the 2010 outburst of U Sco. The reddening of U Sco is found to beE(B-V) = 0.14 ± 0.12, consistent with previous determinations, from simultaneous optical and near-IR observations. The spectra show the evolution of the linewidths and profiles to be consistent with previous outbursts. Velocities are found to be up to 14000kms-1 in broad components and up to 1800kms-1 in narrow-line components, which become visible around day 8 due to changes in the optical depth. From the spectra we derive a helium abundance ofN(He)/N(H) = 0.073 ± 0.031 from the most reliable lines available; this is lower than most other estimates and indicates that the secondary is not helium-rich, as previous studies have suggested.",

keywords = "Infrared: stars, Novae, cataclysmic variables, Stars: individual: U Sco",

author = "Maxwell, {M. P.} and Rushton, {M. T.} and Darnley, {M. J.} and Worters, {H. L.} and Bode, {M. F.} and A. Evans and Eyres, {S. P.S.} and Kouwenhoven, {M. B.N.} and Walter, {F. M.} and Hassall, {B. J.M.}",

year = "2012",

month = jan,

doi = "10.1111/j.1365-2966.2011.19803.x",

language = "English",

volume = "419",

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T1 - The helium abundance in the ejecta of U Scorpii

AU - Maxwell, M. P.

AU - Rushton, M. T.

AU - Darnley, M. J.

AU - Worters, H. L.

AU - Bode, M. F.

AU - Evans, A.

AU - Eyres, S. P.S.

AU - Kouwenhoven, M. B.N.

AU - Walter, F. M.

AU - Hassall, B. J.M.

PY - 2012/1

Y1 - 2012/1

N2 - U Scorpii (U Sco) is a recurrent nova which has been observed in outburst on 10 occasions, most recently in 2010. We present near-infrared (near-IR) and optical spectroscopy of the 2010 outburst of U Sco. The reddening of U Sco is found to beE(B-V) = 0.14 ± 0.12, consistent with previous determinations, from simultaneous optical and near-IR observations. The spectra show the evolution of the linewidths and profiles to be consistent with previous outbursts. Velocities are found to be up to 14000kms-1 in broad components and up to 1800kms-1 in narrow-line components, which become visible around day 8 due to changes in the optical depth. From the spectra we derive a helium abundance ofN(He)/N(H) = 0.073 ± 0.031 from the most reliable lines available; this is lower than most other estimates and indicates that the secondary is not helium-rich, as previous studies have suggested.

AB - U Scorpii (U Sco) is a recurrent nova which has been observed in outburst on 10 occasions, most recently in 2010. We present near-infrared (near-IR) and optical spectroscopy of the 2010 outburst of U Sco. The reddening of U Sco is found to beE(B-V) = 0.14 ± 0.12, consistent with previous determinations, from simultaneous optical and near-IR observations. The spectra show the evolution of the linewidths and profiles to be consistent with previous outbursts. Velocities are found to be up to 14000kms-1 in broad components and up to 1800kms-1 in narrow-line components, which become visible around day 8 due to changes in the optical depth. From the spectra we derive a helium abundance ofN(He)/N(H) = 0.073 ± 0.031 from the most reliable lines available; this is lower than most other estimates and indicates that the secondary is not helium-rich, as previous studies have suggested.

KW - Infrared: stars

KW - Novae, cataclysmic variables

KW - Stars: individual: U Sco

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U2 - 10.1111/j.1365-2966.2011.19803.x

DO - 10.1111/j.1365-2966.2011.19803.x

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:83855162759

SN - 0035-8711

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SP - 1465

EP - 1471

JO - Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

JF - Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

IS - 2

ER -

The helium abundance in the ejecta of U Scorpii

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