On the Progenitors of Galactic Novae

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new classification system for Galactic novae based on the evolutionary state of their secondary stars, supported by photometric observations and identifying candidates for further study.

Contribution

It proposes a novel nova classification scheme based solely on secondary star evolution, diverging from traditional outburst property-based classifications.

Findings

Secondary star evolution can be predicted from quiescent photometry.

Several novae are identified as candidates for follow-up observations.

The new classification system offers a different perspective on nova progenitors.

Abstract

Of the approximately 400 known Galactic classical novae, only ten of them, the recurrent novae, have been seen to erupt more than once. At least eight of these recurrents are known to harbor evolved secondary stars, rather than the main sequence secondaries typical in classical novae. In this paper, we propose a new nova classification system, based solely on the evolutionary state of the secondary, and not (like the current schemes) based on the properties of the outbursts. Using archival optical and near-infrared photometric observations of a sample of thirty eight quiescent Galactic novae we show that the evolutionary state of the secondary star in a quiescent system can predicted and several objects are identified for follow-up observations; CI Aql, V2487 Oph, DI Lac and EU Sct.