Modelling the structure and kinematics of the Firework nebula: The nature of the GK Persei nova shell and its jet-like feature

TL;DR

This study models the structure and kinematics of GK Persei's nova shell, revealing a cylindrical shape aligned with the binary system and clarifying the nature of its jet-like feature as a fossil planetary nebula lobe.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed morpho-kinematic model of GK Per's nova shell, linking its bipolar structure to the central binary and planetary nebula evolution.

Findings

The shell is cylindrical with a low-velocity jet-like feature.

Knots originate from episodic winds during dwarf nova outbursts.

The jet-like feature is a fossil planetary nebula lobe.

Abstract

To gain a more complete understanding of the dynamics of the GK Per (1901) remnant faint-object high-resolution echelle spectroscopic observations and imaging were undertaken covering the knots which comprise the nova shell and the surrounding nebulosity. New imaging from the Aristarchos telescope in Greece and long-slit spectra from the MES instrument at the San Pedro Martir observatory in Mexico were obtained, supplemented with archival observations from several other optical telescopes. Position-velocity arrays are produced of the shell, and also individual knots, and are then used for morpho-kinematic modelling with the shape code. Evidence is found for the interaction of knots with each other and with a wind component, most likely the periodic fast wind emanating from the central binary system. We find that a cylindrical shell with a lower velocity polar structure gives the best model fit to the spectroscopy and imaging. We show in this work that the previously seen jet-like feature is of low velocity. The individual knots have irregular tail shapes; we propose here that they emanate from episodic winds from ongoing dwarf nova outbursts by the central system. The nova shell is cylindrical and the symmetry axis relates to the inclination of the central binary system. Furthermore, the cylinder axis is aligned with the long axis of the bipolar planetary nebula in which it is embedded. Thus, the central binary system is responsible for the bipolarity of the planetary nebula and the cylindrical nova shell. The gradual planetary nebula ejecta versus sudden nova ejecta is the reason for the different degrees of bipolarity. We propose that the 'jet' feature is an illuminated lobe of the fossil planetary nebula that surrounds the nova shell.