The mystery of T Pyx; the 2011 explosion

TL;DR

This paper reports on the 2011 eruption of T Pyx, analyzing spectral changes and expansion velocities to enhance understanding of nova classification.

Contribution

It provides new observational data on T Pyx's 2011 explosion, including spectral evolution and velocity changes, within a novel framework for nova classification.

Findings

Spectral type changed during eruption phases

Expansion velocities varied over time

Proposed new classification framework for novae

Abstract

T Pyx is a recurrent nova which has undergone eruptions on an almost regular basis every 20 years until reaching a long lasting quiescence between 1967 and 2011. We observed the long awaited 2011 explosion in the optical and near infrared with intermediate spectral resolution. In this paper we report on the change in the spectral type of the nova (both during its rise and during its fading), as well as the observed changes in the expansion velocities. We also present an interpretation of these changes and set them in the general framework of a new understanding of nova classification.