Near-IR spectroscopy is presented for Nova Scorpii 2014. It is shown that the outburst occurred in a symbiotic binary system - an extremely rare configuration for a classical nova outburst to occur in but appropriate for the eruption of a recurrent n
ova of the T CrB class. We estimate the spectral class of secondary as M5III $pm$ (two sub-classes). The maximum magnitude versus rate of decline (MMRD) relations give an unacceptably large value of 37.5 kpc for the distance. The spectra are typical of the He/N class of novae with strong HeI and H lines. The profiles are broad and flat topped with full width at zero intensities (FWZIs) approaching 9000-10000 km s$^{-1}$ and also have a sharp narrow component superposed which is attributable to emission from the giants wind. Hot shocked gas, accompanied by X-rays and $gamma$ rays, is expected to form when the high velocity ejecta from the nova plows into the surrounding giant wind. Although X-ray emission was observed no $gamma$-ray emission was reported. It is also puzzling that no signature of a decelerating shock is seen in the near-infrared (NIR), seen in similar systems like RS Oph, V745 Sco and V407 Cyg, as rapid narrowing of the line profiles. The small outburst amplitude and the giant secondary strongly suggest that Nova Sco 2014 could be a recurrent nova.
Constraining excitation energy at which nuclear shell effect washes out has important implications on the production of super heavy elements and many other fields of nuclear physics research. We report the fission fragment mass distribution in alpha
induced reaction on an actinide target for wide excitation range in close energy interval and show direct evidence that nuclear shell effect washes out at excitation energy ~40 MeV. Calculation shows that second peak of the fission barrier also vanishes around similar excitation energy.
We present near-infrared (1-2.5 micron) JHK photo-spectroscopic results of the unusually slow nova V5558 Sgr (2007). V5558 Sgr showed a slow climb to maximum that lasted for about 60 days and then underwent at least five strong secondary outbursts. W
e have analyzed the optical light curve to derive large t2 and t3 values of 281 +/- 3 and 473 +/- 3 days respectively. An alternate approach is adopted to derive a distance estimate of 1.55 +/- 0.25 kpc as conventional MMRD relation may not be applicable for a slow nova. In the pre-maxima stage the spectra showed narrow (FWHM ~ 400 - 550 km/s and strong emission lines of Paschen and Brackett series with prominent P-Cygni components. In the later phase the spectra show significant changes with the development of strong and broad ~ 1000 km/s emission lines of HI, HeI, OI, and NI and some uncommon Fe II emission lines. No evidence of dust formation is seen. V5558 Sgr has been shown to be a rare hybrid nova showing a transition from He/N to Fe II type from optical spectra. However the near-infrared data do not show such a transition and we discuss this anomalous behavior. A recombination analysis of the Brackett lines allows us to constrain the electron density and emission measure during the early optically thick phase and to estimate the mass of the ejecta to be (6.0 +/- 1.5) x 10^(-4) Msun, assuming a filling factor of unity, from later observations.
We present multi-epoch photometric and spectroscopic near-infrared observations of the Be star X Persei in the JHK bands covering the wavelength range 1.08 to 2.35 micron. Combining results from our earlier studies with the present observations, it i
s shown that the equivalent widths and line fluxes of the prominent HI and HeI lines anti-correlate with the strength of the adjacent continuum. That is, during the span of the observations, the JHK broad band fluxes increase while the emission equivalent width values of the HI and HeI lines decrease (the lines under consideration being the Paschen and Brackett lines of hydrogen and the 1.7002 micron and 2.058 micron lines of helium). Such an anti-correlation effect is not commonly observed in Be stars in the optical; in the infrared this may possibly be the first reported case of such behavior. We examine different mechanisms that could possibly cause it and suggest that it could originate due to a radiatively warped, precessing circumstellar disk. It is also shown that during the course of our studies X Per evolved to an unprecedented state of high near-IR brightness with J, H, K magnitudes of 5.20, 5.05 and 4.84 respectively.
We present near-infrared and optical observations of moderately fast FeII-class Nova Scuti 2009 (V496 Sct) covering various phases; pre-maximum, early decline and nebular, during the first 10 months after its discovery followed by limited observation
s up to 2011 April. In the initial phase the nova spectra show prominent P Cygni profiles and later all the lines are seen in emission. The notable feature of the near-IR spec- tra in the early decline phase is the rare presence of the first overtone bands of carbon monoxide (CO) in emission. The IR spectra show clear dust formation in the expand- ing ejecta at later phase about 150 days after the peak brightness. The presence of lines of elements with low ionization potentials like Na and Mg in the early IR spectra and the detection of CO bands in emission and the dust formation in V496 Sct represents a complete expected sequence in the dust formation in nova ejecta. The light curve shows a slow rise to the maximum and a slow decline indicating a prolonged mass loss. This is corroborated by the strengthening of P Cygni profiles during the first 30 days. The broad and single absorption components seen in many lines in the optical spectra at the time of discovery are replaced by two sharper components in the spectra taken close to the optical maximum brightness. These sharp dips seen in the P Cygni absorption components of Fe II and H I lines during the early decline phase show increasing outflow velocities. The onset of the nebular phase is evident from the optical spectra in 2010 March. During the nebular phase, several emission lines display saddle-like profiles. In the nebular stage, the observed fluxes of [O III] and H lines are used to estimate the electron number densities and the mass of the ejecta. The optical spectra show that the nova is evolved in the P_fe A_o spectral sequence.
The Interferometric studies of novae in the optical and near-infrared is a nascent but fast emerging field which has begun to provide new and invaluable insights into the nova phenomenon. This is particularly so in the early stages of the eruption wh
en all the relevant physical phenomena are on the scale of milli-arcseconds and thus are amenable to be studied only by interferometric techniques. In this review the instruments and arrays involved in this domain of work are briefly described, followed by a description of the major results obtained so far. A discussion is made of the physical aspects, where the application of interferometric techniques, can bring the most valuable information. Finally, prospects for the near future are discussed.
We describe a search for the A-X infrared bands of AlO with a view to better understand the characteristics of this radical. These bands are infrequently encountered in astronomical sources but surprisingly were very prominent in the spectra of two w
ell-known, nova-like variables (V838 Mon and V4332 Sgr) thereby motivating us to explore the physical conditions necessary for their excitation. In this study, we present the detection of A-X bands in the spectra of 13 out of 17 stars, selected on the basis of their J-K colors as potential candidates for detection of these bands. The majority of the AlO detections are in AGB stars viz. 9 OH/IR stars, 2 Mira variables and 2 bright infrared sources. Our study shows that the A-X bands are fairly prevalent in sources with low temperature and O-rich environments. Interesting variation in strength of the AlO bands in one of the sources (IRAS 18530+0817) is reported and the cause for this is examined. Possible applications of the present study are discussed in terms of the role of AlO in alumina dust formation, the scope for estimating the radioactive $^{26}$Al content in AGB stars from the A-X bands, and providing possible targets for further mm/radio studies of AlO which has recently been discovered at millimeter wavelengths.
The possibility of the Ly{beta} fluorescence mechanism being operational in classical Be stars and thereby contributing to the strength of the OI 8446 {AA} line has been recognized for long. However this supposition needs to be quantified by comparin
g observed and predicted OI line ratios. In the present work, optical and near-infrared spectra of classical Be stars are presented. We analyse the observed strengths of the OI 7774, 8446, 11287 and 13165 {AA} lines which have been theoretically proposed as diagnostics for identifying the excitation mechanism. We have considered and examined the effects of Ly{beta} fluorescence, collisional excitation, recombination and continuum fluorescence on these OI line strengths. From our analysis it appears that the Ly{beta} fluorescence process is indeed operative in Be stars.
Photometric and spectroscopic results are presented for the Be star X Per/HD 24534 from near-infrared monitoring in 2010-2011. The star is one of a sample of selected Be/X-ray binaries being monitored by us in the near-IR to study correlations betwee
n their X ray and near-IR behaviour. Comparison of the stars present near-IR magnitudes with earlier records shows the star to be currently in a prominently bright state with mean J, H, K magnitudes of 5.49, 5.33 and 5.06 respectively. The JHK spectra are dominated by emission lines of HeI and Paschen and Brackett lines of HI. Lines of OI 1.1287 and 1.3165 micron are also present and their relative strength indicates, since OI 1.1287 is stronger among the two lines, that Lyman beta fluorescence plays an important role in their excitation. Recombination analysis of the HI lines is done which shows that the Paschen and Brackett line strengths deviate considerably from case B predictions. These deviations are attributed to the lines being optically thick and this supposition is verified by calculating the line center optical depths predicted by recombination theory. Similar calculations indicate that the Pfund and Humphrey series lines should also be expected to be optically thick which is found to be consistent with observations reported in other studies. The spectral energy distribution of the star is constructed and shown to have an infrared excess. Based on the magnitude of the IR excess, which is modeled using a free-free contribution from the disc, the electron density in the disc is estimated and shown to be within the range of values expected in Be star discs.
We present a study of the star 2MASS J22472238+5801214 with the aim of identifying its true nature which has hitherto been uncertain. This object, which is a member of the young cluster NGC 7380, has been variously proposed to be a Be star, a D-type
symbiotic and a Herbig Ae/Be star in separate studies. Here we present optical spectroscopy, near-IR photometry and narrow band H-alpha imaging of the nebulosity in its environment. Analysis of all these results, including the spectral energy distribution constructed from available data, strongly indicate the source to be a Herbig Ae/Be star. The star is found to be accompanied by a nebulosity with an interesting structure. A bow shock shaped structure, similar to a cometary nebula, is seen very close to the star with its apex oriented towards the photoionizing source of this region (i.e. the star DH Cep). An interesting spectroscopic finding, from the forbidden [SII] 6716, 6731 AA and [OI] 6300 AA lines, is the detection of a blue-shifted high velocity outflow (200 +/- 50 km/s) from the star.
