On the enhancement of CNO nuclei in nova progenitors

Journal Article · Tue Mar 15 04:00:00 EST 1977 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/155104· OSTI ID:7224089

Colvin, J D; VanHorn, H M; Starrfield, S G; Truran, J W

It has previously been shown that strong enhancement of CNO nuclei in the deepest layers of a white dwarf envelope is a necessary precondition for a nova outburst. In this paper we demonstrate a mechanism capable of producing such enhancement. We have computed the initial stages of spherically symmetric accretion of normal matter (X=0.700, Y=0.285) onto an initially pure /sup 12/C white dwarf of mass 1 M/sub sun/. The initial white dwarf luminosity is given by log L/L/sub sun/=-3.41, and the accretion rate is taken to be 10/sup -12/ M/sub sun/ yr/sup -1/. The addition of the hydrogen-rich gas causes an initial drop in luminosity given by ..delta.. log L/L/sub sun/approx. =-0.2, and acts to quench the initial surface convection. Significant carbon enhancement as a result of convective mixing is found to extend only over approximately the region occupied by the initial carbon convection zone, at the base of the accreted layer.

• Research Organization: Department of Physics and Astronomy and C. E. Kenneth Mees Observatory, University of Rochester
• OSTI ID: 7224089
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 212:3; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640102* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CONVECTION
DWARF STARS
ENERGY TRANSFER
HEAT TRANSFER
LUMINOSITY
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NOVAE
NUCLEOSYNTHESIS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
STAR ACCRETION
STAR EVOLUTION
STAR MODELS
STARS
WHITE DWARF STARS