The E-Nova Project: A Multi-Wavelength Initiative to Probe the Ejecta and Environments of Novae

Seminar Date: 
September 27, 2012

Speaker:
Dr. Tommy Nelson
University of Minnesota

Title:
The E-Nova Project: A Multi-Wavelength Initiative to Probe the Ejecta and Environments of Novae

Abstract: 
Novae are the most common stellar explosions in the universe, and an important stage in the evolution of some Type Ia supernova progenitors.  However, important questions remain unanswered about the accretion-ejection cycle in these objects, and the long-term evolution of their white dwarf components.  I will discuss the E-Nova Project, a new observational program designed to probe the ejecta and environmental properties of a diverse sample of novae using a combination of radio, X-ray and optical data. I will focus on some recent results, including an extensive multiwavelength study of the recurrent nova T Pyx, and ongoing observations of two new novae that were unexpectedly detected in GeV gamma rays by the Fermi LAT.