Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Gamma-ray constraints on Na-22 yields in nova explosions

Journal Article · · Astrophys. J.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/165317· OSTI ID:6086264

The longitudinal distribution of diffuse 1.275 MeV emission produced by the decay of interstellar Na-22 generated by a limited class of energetic novae-accreting ONeMg white dwarfs is modeled. The probability distributions for the locations of disk novae are derived as functions of Galactocentric cylindrical coordinates. The occurrence rate for novae of all classes in the Galactic disk is about 30/yr. An occurrence rate of about 16/yr is found for spheroid novae of all classes. By comparing these simulation results with HEAO 3 upper limits on diffuse 1.275 MeV emission, upper limits of (3-5.6) x 10 to the -7th solar mass are determined for the mean Na-22 yield for energetic novae generated by accreting ONeMg white dwarfs. These Na-22 limits constrain future models of explosive nucleosynthesis in energetic nova explosions. 27 references.

Research Organization:
California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
OSTI ID:
6086264
Journal Information:
Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 317; ISSN ASJOA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English