The very short supersoft X-ray state of the classical nova M31N 2007-11a

M. Henze, W. Pietsch, G. Sala, M. Della Valle, M. Hernanz, J. Greiner, V. Burwitz, M. J. Freyberg, F. Haberl, D. H. Hartmann, P. Milne, G. G. Williams

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Context. Short supersoft X-ray source (SSS) states (durations ≤100 days) of classical novae (CNe) indicate massive white dwarfs that are candidate progenitors of supernovae type Ia.Aims. We carry out a dedicated optical and X-ray monitoring program of CNe in the bulge of M 31.Methods. We discovered M31N 2007-11a and determined its optical and X-ray light curve. We used the robotic Super-LOTIS telescope to obtain the optical data and XMM-Newton and Chandra observations to discover an X-ray counterpart to that nova.Results. Nova M31N 2007-11a is a very fast CN, exhibiting a very short SSS state with an appearance time of 6-16 days after outburst and a turn-off time of 45-58 days after outburst.Conclusions. The optical and X-ray light curves of M31N 2007-11a suggest a binary containing a white dwarf with MWD > 1.0 M .

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)L13-L16
JournalAstronomy and astrophysics
Volume498
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2009

Keywords

  • Galaxies: individual: M31
  • Novae, cataclysmic variables
  • Stars: individual: nova M31N 2007-11a-X-rays: galaxies

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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