Do the Outburst Properties of M31N 2008-12a Depend on the Time Since the Previous Eruption?

TL;DR

This study analyzes multiple eruptions of the extragalactic nova M31N 2008-12a to investigate if outburst properties depend on the time since the last eruption, finding possible correlations with peak brightness but not decline rate.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis of eruption lightcurves over nine years, exploring the relationship between eruption timing and outburst characteristics.

Findings

No significant correlation between pre-eruption interval and fade rate.

Possible positive correlation between peak brightness and time since last eruption.

Analysis covers UV to near IR observations across nine eruptions.

Abstract

Photometric observations spanning the UV to the near IR during the nine most recent eruptions (2014-2022) of the extragalactic nova M31N 2008-12a are presented and analyzed in order to explore whether the lightcurve properties for a given eruption, specifically the peak magnitudes and fade rates, are correlated with the time interval since the previous eruption. No significant correlation between the pre-eruption interval and the rate of decline was found, however it appears that the brightness at the peak of an outburst may be positively correlated with the time interval since the previous eruption.