CK Vul: a smorgasbord of hydrocarbons rules out a 1670 nova (and much else besides)


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We present observations of CK Vul obtained with the Spitzer Space Telescope. The infrared spectrum reveals a warm dust continuum with nebular, molecular hydrogen and HCN lines superimposed, together with the Unidentified Infrared (UIR) features. The nebular lines are consistent with emission by a low density gas. We conclude that the Spitzer data, combined with other information, are incompatible with CK Vul being a classical nova remnant in hibernation after the event of 1670, a Very Late Thermal Pulse, a Luminous Red Variable such as V838 Mon, or a Diffusion-induced nova. The true nature of CK Vul remains a mystery.

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