Exploring the Morphology of the Expanding Remnants of Classical and Recurrent Novae

TL;DR

This study investigates the early morphological evolution of nova remnants, combining spectroscopic modeling and imaging to understand shaping mechanisms, with implications for planetary nebulae formation.

Contribution

It provides detailed morpho-kinematical models of nova remnants, highlighting early shaping processes supported by spectroscopic and imaging data.

Findings

Remnant shaping occurs very early in nova outbursts

Spectroscopic and imaging data reveal structures and velocities of remnants

Early shaping influences the evolution of nova and planetary nebulae

Abstract

We report studies of several novae which are known or suspected to be recurrent. We discuss our morpho-kinematical modelling of the evolution of the optical spectra taken early after outburst for two recent novae. In the case of the known RN RS Oph, this is also coupled with \it HST imaging. Results support the hypothesis that remnant shaping occurs very early in a nova outburst and we also derive the structures (including inclination) and velocity field of the remnants. Overall, these results emphasise the need for coordinated imaging and spectrometry, although not always possible, if we are to truly understand remnant shaping in these systems, together with the wider implications for studies of shaping mechanisms in Planetary Nebulae.