On the absence of nova shells

Abstract

We present our wide field Halpha+N[II] observations of 15 cataclysmic variables to search for remnant nova shells. Such shells have been found around other cataclysmic variables that were hitherto not known as novae. Our candidates were selected as objects in the period regime of high-mass transfer systems that experience - at least occasionally - low mass transfer rates. The fact that we find no indication of a nova shell in any of these systems allows us to set a lower limit of 13000 years to the recurrence time of these objects.

5 pages, 1 figure, accepted by MNRAS

References in corpus (4)

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• Two New Nova Shells associated with V4362 Sagittarii and DO Aquilae
• Cataclysmic variables as possible counterparts of ancient Far Eastern guest stars
• Life after eruption VIII: The orbital periods of novae
• Searching for nova shells around cataclysmic variables -- II. A second campaign