Multi-wavelength Light Curve Model of the One-year Recurrence Period Nova M31N 2008-12a

TL;DR

This paper develops a detailed theoretical light curve model for the recurrent nova M31N 2008-12a, explaining its optical and X-ray features and suggesting it as a Type Ia supernova progenitor.

Contribution

It presents a novel combined interior and wind model for the nova, accurately reproducing observed light curves and X-ray timing, and predicts an early X-ray flash before optical peak.

Findings

Model reproduces short X-ray turn-on and turnoff times.

Ejecta mass is about 37% of accreted mass.

Predicts a bright X-ray flash prior to optical peak.

Abstract

We present a theoretical light curve model of the recurrent nova M31N 2008-12a, the current record holder for the shortest recurrence period (1 yr). We combined interior structures calculated using a Henyey-type evolution code with optically thick wind solutions of hydrogen-rich envelopes, which give the proper mass-loss rates, photospheric temperatures, and luminosities. The light curve model is calculated for a 1.38 M_sun white dwarf (WD) with an accretion rate of 1.6 \times 10^{-7} M_sun yr^{-1}. This model shows a very high effective temperature (log T_ph (K) \geq 4.97) and a very small wind mass-loss rate (\dot M_wind \leq 9.3 \times 10^{-6} M_sun yr^{-1}) even at the maximum expansion of the photosphere. These properties are consistent with the faint optical peak of M31N 2008-12a because the brightness of the free-free emission is proportional to the square of the mass-loss rate. The model well reproduces the short supersoft X-ray turn-on time of 6 days and turnoff time of 18 days after the outburst. The ejecta mass of our model is calculated to be 6.3 \times 10^{-8} M_sun, corresponding to 37% of the accreted mass. The growth rate of the WD is 0.63 times the mass accretion rate, making it a progenitor for a Type Ia supernova. Our light curve model predicts a bright supersoft X-ray phase one or two days before the optical peak. We encourage detection of this X-ray flash in future outbursts.