Early optical spectra of nova V1369 Cen show presence of Lithium

TL;DR

This study reports the detection of lithium in the early spectra of nova V1369 Cen, suggesting novae significantly contribute to galactic lithium enrichment.

Contribution

First high-resolution spectroscopic detection of lithium in a nova, linking nova outbursts to galactic lithium production.

Findings

Detected blue-shifted lithium absorption line at 6695.6 Å

Estimated nova ejecta contribute 0.3-4.8×10^{-10} solar masses of lithium

Supports novae as a source of galactic lithium overabundance

Abstract

We present early high resolution spectroscopic observations of the nova V1369 Cen. We have detected an absorption feature at 6695.6 \AA\, that we have identified as blue--shifted $^7$Li I $\lambda$6708 \AA. The absorption line, moving at -550 km/s, was observed in five high-resolution spectra of the nova obtained at different epochs. On the basis of the intensity of this absorption line we infer that a single nova outburst can inject in the Galaxy $M_{Li} =$ 0.3 - 4.8 $\times 10^{-10}$ M$_{\odot}$. Given the current estimates of Galactic nova rate, this amount is sufficient to explain the puzzling origin of the overabundance of Lithium observed in young star populations.