X‐Ray Spectroscopy of the 2006 Outburst of RS Ophiuchi

• DOI: 10.1086/524054
• Publication Date: 2008-02-01T06:08:47Z
• Authors: Thomas Nelson; Marina Orio; Joseph P. Cassinelli; Martin Still; Elia Leibowitz; Paola Mucciarelli
• Keywords: Cataclysmic variable star; Effective temperature

We present X-ray grating spectra of the recurrent nova RS Ophiuchi during its 2006 outburst, obtained with XMM-Newton and Chandra. For first month after optical maximum, spectrum was hard dominated by emission lines H-like He-like ions. The luminosity 2.4 × 1036 ergs s−1 in 0.33-10 keV range. indicate a collisionally plasma broad range temperatures an energy-dependent velocity structure. During observation week 4, soft flare occurred which new system soft, higher appeared spectrum. Then, weeks 6-10, supersoft continuum hot white dwarf atmosphere dominant component. reached at least 9 1037 0.2-1 range, while intrinsic nebular absorption decreased factor 5 since observation. Preliminary model fitting indicates temperature ~800,000 K, mass 1.2 M☉. Therefore, Oph may be important Type Ia supernova progenitor. show that data are consistent loss ending before day 54 nuclear burning around 69. A rapid decay followed 10. 5, 7, 8 months maximum dropped more than 2 orders magnitude. do not appear to from accretion disk.