Spitzer Space Telescope - General Observer Proposal #20262


Spitzer observations of old novae

Principal Investigator: Aneurin Evans
           Institution: Keele University

Co-Investigators: 
Robert Gehrz, University of Minnesota                                 
Charles Woodward, University of Minnesota                             
Elisha Polomski, University of Minnesota                              
Andrew Helton, University of Minnesota                                
Sumner Starrfield, Arizona State University                           
Joachim Krautter, Landessternewarte                                   
Mark Wagner, University of Arizona                                    
James Lyke, Keck Observatory                                          
James Truran, University of Chicago                                   
Alberto Salama, ESA                                                   

Science Category: evolved stars/pn/sne 
 Observing Modes: IrsStare 
  Hours Approved: 4.9 

Abstract:
Our perception of old classical novae is determined by (i) the
physical state of the stellar remnant as it heats up during the
eruption, (ii) the distribution of the material ejected in the
eruption, (iii) the eventual 'switching off' of the eruption.  We
propose to use Spitzer to obtain IRS stare spectra of several old
novae (including 4 novae observed as targets-of-opportunity in Cy1)
and MIPS photometry of old dusty novae, and of a unique nova with cold
(possibly pre-eruption) dust.  Our targets cover a range of nova
parameter space (1-100  years since eruption, 'fast' and 'slow' novae,
'coronal' novae and dusty novae).  Our objectives are to determine (i)
element abundances in, and masses of, ejected material in the most
recent eruptions, (ii) the physical state (density, temperature,
clumpiness) of the ejected material, (iii) the long-term evolution of
the dust in dusty novae, (iv) the physical state of the stellar
remnant.  Our goals are to investigate the long-term (10-100  years)
evolution of classical novae and their environments, to gain an
infrared perspective on the eruption 'turn-off' time, and to
investigate the contribution that novae make to the chemical evolution
of the Galaxy.