# Flaring, Dust Formation, And Shocks In The Very Slow Nova ASASSN-17pf (LMCN 2017-11a)

## TL;DR

This study analyzes the 2017 slow nova ASASSN-17pf in the Large Magellanic Cloud, revealing multiple mass-ejection episodes, dust formation, and potential gamma-ray emission driven by shocks, based on extensive multi-wavelength observations.

## Contribution

It provides the first detailed multi-wavelength analysis of a very slow nova with multiple maxima, linking spectral features to mass ejection and dust formation processes.

## Key findings

- Multiple optical maxima correlate with new absorption systems.
- The nova exhibits very low expansion velocities (~190 km/s).
- Dust formation occurs approximately 125 days after discovery.

## Abstract

We present a detailed study of the 2017 eruption of the classical nova ASASSN-17pf (LMCN 2017-11a), which is located in the Large Magellanic Cloud, including data from AAVSO, ASAS-SN, SALT, SMARTS, SOAR, and the Neil Gehrels \textit{Swift} Observatory. The optical light-curve is characterized by multiple maxima (flares) on top of a slowly evolving light-curve (with a decline time, $t_2>$ 100 d). The maxima correlate with the appearance of new absorption line systems in the optical spectra characterized by increasing radial velocities. We suggest that this is evidence of multiple episodes of mass-ejection with increasing expansion velocities. The line profiles in the optical spectra indicate very low expansion velocities (FWHM $\sim$ 190 km s$^{-1}$), making this nova one of the slowest expanding ever observed, consistent with the slowly evolving light-curve. The evolution of the colors and spectral energy distribution show evidence of decreasing temperatures and increasing effective radii for the pseudo-photosphere during each maximum. The optical and infrared light-curves are consistent with dust formation 125 days post-discovery. We speculate that novae showing several optical maxima have multiple mass-ejection episodes leading to shocks that may drive $\gamma$-ray emission and dust formation.