Flash-ionization of pre-existing circumstellar material around Nova Oph 2015

TL;DR

This study presents high-resolution spectroscopy of Nova Oph 2015, revealing pre-existing circumstellar material likely from an evolved companion's wind, and details the nova's spectral evolution and unique characteristics among similar systems.

Contribution

First detailed spectroscopic analysis of Nova Oph 2015 showing circumstellar material from an evolved secondary, with insights into its unique slow evolution and spectral features.

Findings

Detection of recombining narrow emission component from secondary wind

Broad component reduction indicating nova ejecta slowing down

Nova's unique slow rise, FeII classification, and sub-giant secondary

Abstract

We have obtained daily high resolution Echelle spectroscopy of Nova Oph 2015 during its initial evolution. It reveals the presence of pre-existing circumstellar material around the nova, which is best interpreted as the wind of an evolved companion. On earliest observations, the emission line profiles of Nova Oph 2015 displayed a very narrow emission component (FWHM~60 km/s), recombining over a time scale of 5 days and showing constant low velocity (RV_sun= -4.5 km/s), that we interpret as coming from the wind of the secondary recombining after the ionization from the initial UV-flash of the nova. The underlying broad component underwent a marked reduction in both FWHM and width at zero intensity (the latter declining from 4000 to 2000 km/s in ten days) while increasing by 6 times in flux, that we believe is the result of the high velocity ejecta of the nova being slowed down while trying to expand within the surrounding wind of the companion. Novae with evolved secondaries are very rare in the Galaxy, amounting 3% of the total according to recent estimates. Among them Nova Oph 2015 is perhaps unique in having displayed a long rise to maximum brightness and a slow decline from it, a FeII-type classification (contrary to prevailing He/N) and a probable sub-giant luminosity class for the secondary (instead of the giant (e.g. RS Oph) or supergiant (e.g. V407 Cyg) class for the others).