Symbiotic star T CrB as an extreme SU UMa type dwarf nova

TL;DR

This paper analyzes the active phases of T CrB, a symbiotic star, and finds they resemble superoutbursts of SU UMa dwarf novae, suggesting T CrB is an extreme SU UMa type dwarf nova with potential for imminent nova eruption.

Contribution

It demonstrates that T CrB's active phases are statistically similar to SU UMa dwarf novae superoutbursts, proposing a new classification and predictive insight.

Findings

Active phases match SU UMa superoutbursts

Recurrence times align with theoretical models

Last active phase resembles a superoutburst

Abstract

T CrB is a symbiotic recurrent nova that exhibits quiescent and active phases between its classical nova eruptions. The statistical properties of these active phases have been poorly studied thus far. Because of that their nature remained unknown. Here we study statistical properties of the active phases and show that they are consistent with outburst and superoutbursts observed in SU UMa type dwarf novae. The recurrence time of these outbursts is consistent with theoretical predictions for similar systems. Moreover, the visual and X-ray evolution of the last active phase is consistent with a superoutburst. This suggests that T CrB is a dwarf nova with an extremely long orbital period, closely related to SU UMa dwarf novae. The similarities between the last superoutburst and the reported activity preceding the 1946 nova eruption may suggest that next classical nova eruption in T CrB could be indeed soon expected.