The Unusual Eruption of the Extragalactic Classical Nova M31N 2017-09a

TL;DR

This paper documents the unusual, prolonged eruption of the extragalactic classical nova M31N 2017-09a, highlighting its complex light-curve and multiple secondary outbursts over 160 days.

Contribution

It provides detailed observational analysis of a rare, long-lasting nova eruption with complex brightness variations and secondary outbursts.

Findings

Eruption lasted approximately 160 days with multiple secondary outbursts.

The light-curve shows continual variation with daily magnitude excursions.

The decline follows a single power-law pattern.

Abstract

M31N 2017-09a is a classical nova and was observed for some 160 days following its initial eruption, during which time it underwent a number of bright secondary outbursts. The light-curve is characterized by continual variation with excursions of at least 0.5 magnitudes on a daily time-scale. The lower envelope of the eruption suggests that a single power-law can describe the decline rate. The eruption is relatively long with $t_2 = 111$, and $t_3 = 153$ days.