Shock-driven synchrotron radio emission from the 2021 outburst of RS Ophiuchi

TL;DR

This paper reports low-frequency radio observations of RS Ophiuchi's 2021 outburst, revealing shock-driven synchrotron emission influenced by the circumbinary medium, with brighter radio signals than in previous outbursts, indicating higher plasma density.

Contribution

First detailed low-frequency radio study of RS Ophiuchi's 2021 outburst showing shock-driven synchrotron emission and circumbinary medium effects.

Findings

Radio emission is non-thermal with a spectral index of -0.4.

Radio light curves are brighter than in 2006, indicating higher plasma density.

Shock-driven synchrotron emission is absorbed by a clumpy ionized medium.

Abstract

We present low-frequency radio observations of the Galactic symbiotic recurrent nova RS Ophiuchi during its 2021 outburst. The observations were carried out with the upgraded Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (uGMRT) spanning a frequency range of 0.15$-$1.4 GHz during 23$-$287 days post the outburst. The average value of the optically thin spectral index is $\alpha \sim$ $-$0.4 ($F_{\nu} \propto \nu^\alpha$), indicating a non-thermal origin of the radio emission at the observed frequencies. The radio light curves are best represented by shock-driven synchrotron emission, initially absorbed by a clumpy ionized circumbinary medium. We estimate the mass-loss rate of the red giant companion star to be $\dot{M} \sim$ 7.5 $\times$ 10$^{-8}$ $M_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$ for an assumed stellar wind velocity of 20 km/s. The 0.15--1.4 GHz radio light curves of the 2021 outburst are systematically brighter than those of the 2006 outburst. Considering similar shock properties between the two outbursts, this is indicative of a relatively higher particle number density in the synchrotron emitting plasma in the current outburst.