What happens to the red dwarf during a classical nova?

In summary, when a red giant star donates material to a white dwarf, a nova event occurs. During this event, there is no significant change to the red giant star. However, the mass transfer may be interrupted and there may be feedback effects on the process. The perspective of the nova event would be different depending on the positioning of the observer, but the magnetic field of the red giant may skew the view. Recent research has shed light on the life cycle of novas and a hibernating star has been observed going through a nova explosion.
  • #1
Tish62
5
5
As a red dwarf star is donating material to a white dwarf until there is a nova.

What happens to the red dwarf during the nova? Is there an increase in nucleosynthesis within the red dwarf due to its close proximity? If so, how would that change the periodicity and type of later novas?

If you were positioned on the other side of the red dwarf would there be a significantly different perspective on the nova event or would the magnetic field of the red dwarf skew that?
 
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  • #2
Do you mean red giant star?
 
  • #3
AFAIK red dwarfs are not known to suffer mass loss in a multistar system. They are small enough to be captured in orbits beyond the reach of leeching by more massive compansions.
 
  • #4
I believe she means red giant, and I think the answer is that essentially nothing happens to the red giant during the nova event. The giant might eclipse the early stages of the nova emission if you are situated behind it, though the nova soon expands to a large size and would be seen around the red giant at some later stage. The mass transfer might be interrupted during the nova, and that might introduce feedback effects on the process.
 

1. What is a red dwarf?

A red dwarf is a type of star that is smaller and cooler than our Sun. They have a lower mass and luminosity, but they are the most common type of star in the universe.

2. What is a classical nova?

A classical nova is a type of astronomical event where a sudden increase in brightness is observed in a star. This happens when a white dwarf star in a binary system accretes material from its companion star, causing a thermonuclear explosion on its surface.

3. How does a red dwarf become a classical nova?

A red dwarf can become a classical nova if it is part of a binary system with a white dwarf companion. As the white dwarf accretes material from the red dwarf, it becomes unstable and undergoes a runaway fusion reaction, resulting in a classical nova event.

4. What happens to the red dwarf during a classical nova?

During a classical nova, the red dwarf remains relatively unchanged. It may experience some tidal forces from the explosion of its companion, but it does not undergo any significant changes in mass or structure.

5. How long does a red dwarf remain a classical nova?

A red dwarf can remain a classical nova for a relatively short period of time, typically a few weeks or months. However, the effects of the explosion, such as an increase in luminosity, may last for much longer, up to several years.

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