Photometric evolution and peculiar dust formation in the gamma-ray Nova Sco 2012 (V1324 Sco)

TL;DR

This paper presents optical and infrared photometry of Nova Sco 2012, revealing early dust formation that significantly affected its lightcurve and challenged standard distance estimation methods.

Contribution

It provides detailed photometric data and analysis of early dust formation in Nova Sco 2012, highlighting its impact on nova lightcurve interpretation.

Findings

Early dust formation caused at least 6 magnitudes of extinction in V band.

Dust formation occurred only 20 days after maximum brightness.

The dust obscuration compromised the use of MMRD relations for distance estimation.

Abstract

Optical (BVRI) and infrared (JHK) photometry of the gamma-ray nova Nova Sco 2012 (V1324 Sco) is presented and the lightcurve reconstructed and discussed. An interstellar reddening E(B-V)=1.23 is derived. Dust begun to form at an early date in the nova, only one magnitude down and 20 days past maximum optical brightness and caused an extinction of at least 6 magnitudes in V band, that cleared some months later. This unusual early dust formation compromises the application of the magnitude at maximum versus rate of decline (MMRD) relations in estimating the distance to the nova.