[vsnet-chat 1540] Re: How fast is a Fast Nova?

[aah@nofs.navy.mil]

No one answered Fraser Farrell's question, so I'll bite:
>I'm beginning to wonder if these objects [like Nova Mus 98]
>are true "classical" novae, or
>just very infrequent dwarf novae?  Is there a real distinction between a
>Fast Nova and an Infrequent Dwarf Nova?

My understanding (from Brian Warner's book) is that classical novae
have to (a) not repeat, and (b) have amplitudes greater than 6 magnitudes.
Dwarf novae typically have outbursts of 2-5mags, repeating anywhere
from a few days to years.  So yes, I'd think some objects classified
as novae could actually be exotic dwarf novae.  You have to go to
spectroscopy to differentiate between the two (novae eject shells,
DN do not).

Arne

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