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 language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 2871-2876 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society |
Volume | 457 |
Issue number | 3 |
Early online date | 17 Feb 2016 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 17 Feb 2016 |
Externally published | Yes |
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