On the existence of jets in the recurrent nova T Pyxidis

TL;DR

This paper clarifies that features previously thought to be jets in T Pyxidis are actually emission lines from the expanding shell, providing a more accurate understanding of the nova's ejecta structure.

Contribution

It corrects the interpretation of observed features in T Pyxidis, showing they are from emission lines rather than jets, refining the understanding of its ejecta.

Findings

Features are from [N II] emission lines, not jets.

Shell expansion velocity estimated at ~500 km/s.

Clarifies the nature of ejecta in T Pyxidis.

Abstract

Recently, it has been claimed that the recurrent nova T Pyx exhibits oppositely directed jets of ejecta apparent in features seen in H alpha emission. Here we demonstrate that these features are in fact emission in the [N II] lines which lie either side of H alpha and arise from the expanding shell associated with this object rather than from collimated jets. We estimate an expansion velocity along a line of sight through the centre of the shell of about 500 km/s.