Life after eruption - I. Spectroscopic observations of ten nova candidates

TL;DR

This study enhances the understanding of post-novae by spectroscopically confirming and characterizing ten nova candidates, revealing their properties and correcting classifications, thereby contributing to the broader knowledge of cataclysmic variable populations.

Contribution

It provides new spectroscopic data on ten nova candidates, confirming their status and correcting classifications, which improves the sample of known post-novae and their properties.

Findings

V909 Sgr is likely a magnetic CV.

V728 Sco is a high-inclination system.

V734 Sco and V1310 Sgr are probably Mira variables.

Abstract

We have started a project to investigate the connection of post-novae with the population of cataclysmic variables. Our first steps in this concern improving the sample of known post-novae and their properties. Here we present the recovery and/or confirmation of the old novae MT Cen, V812 Cen, V655 CrA, IL Nor, V2109 Oph, V909 Sgr, V2572 Sgr, and V728 Sco. Principal photometric and spectroscopic properties of these systems are discussed. We find that V909 Sgr is a probable magnetic CV, and that V728 Sco is a high-inclination system. We furthermore suggest that the two candidate novae V734 Sco and V1310 Sgr have been misclassified and instead are Mira variables.