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R. D. Gehrz (Department of Astronomy, University of Minnesota)
Thermonuclear runaways producing classical nova explosions may play an important role in producing some of the isotopic anomalies that were present in the primitive solar nebula. We describe how infrared (IR) observations can be used to determine the physical parameters of classical nova outbursts and to assess the dusty and gas phase contributions of their ejecta to the Inter-Stellar Medium (ISM). We review the evidence that grains grow directly in the ejecta of some novae. In these cases, the abundances of condensibles in the ejecta can be deduced from dust emission features. The properties of dust produced by these novae are reviewed and compared to those of the small grains released from comet nuclei. Other novae produce large abundances of gas phase elements that may participate in grain growth in ISM clouds. Abundances in the ejecta of these novae may be derived from the strengths of IR forbidden and coronal emission lines. Recent observations of old and active novae with the NASA Spitzer Space Telescope will be reviewed. We conclude that some recent bright novae ejected shells that were extremely overabundant in CNO, Ne, Mg, Al, and Si.
This work was supported by NASA, the NSF, the US Air Force, and the Graduate School of the University of Minnesota.
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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 37 #2
© 2005. The American Astronomical Soceity.