CK Vul: a smorgasbord of hydrocarbons rules out a 1670 nova (and much else besides)

R. D. Gehrz, C. E. Woodward, P. J. Sarre, J. T. van Loon, L. A. Helton, S. Starrfield, S. P. S. Eyres, A. Evans*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We present observations of CK Vul obtained with the Spitzer Space Telescope. The infrared spectrum reveals a warm dust continuum with nebular, molecular hydrogen and HCN lines superimposed, together with the 'Unidentified Infrared' features. The nebular lines are consistent with emission by a low-density gas. We conclude that the Spitzer data, combined with other information, are incompatible with CK Vul being a classical nova remnant in 'hibernation' after the event of 1670, a 'very late thermal pulse', a 'Luminous Red Variable', such as V838 Mon, or a 'diffusion-induced nova'. The true nature of CK Vul remains a mystery.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2871-2876
Number of pages6
JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Volume457
Issue number3
Early online date17 Feb 2016
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 17 Feb 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • circumstellar matter
  • stars: individual: CK Vul
  • ISM: molecules
  • infrared: stars
  • SPITZER-SPACE-TELESCOPE
  • PLANETARY-NEBULAE
  • CLASSICAL NOVAE
  • DUST
  • EMISSION
  • EVOLUTION
  • MOLECULES
  • FEATURES
  • STARS
  • PAHS

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