A Search for the modern counterparts of the Far Eastern guest stars 369 CE, 386 CE, and 393 CE

Abstract

In this study, we apply our previously developed method to investigate ancient transient sightings in order to derive consequences for modern astrophysical problems.We present case studies of three observations of so called 'guest stars' in the 4th century CE which lasted several months each. These three observations had been suggested and discussed as possible supernovae but slow novae are also viable alternatives. Our careful re-interpretation of the historical texts and the currently known objects in the given fields shed new light on this topic. In particular, for the two events in 386 and 393 CE we suggest possible supernova identifications, while in all three cases there are interesting candidates for past classical or recurrent nova eruptions among known cataclysmic variables (CVs) and/or symbiotic stars. The transient of 369, we suggest to explain as classical and possibly recurrent nova instead of a supernova. The most plausible candidates are BZ Cam, a CV with a possible nova shell, or CQ Dra, a naked eye multiple system perhaps able to permit an overwhelmingly bright nova with day-time visibility.

arXiv comment12 pages, 6 figures, appendix with 3 figures

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Cited by in corpus (6)

• The Simulated Sky: Stellarium for Cultural Astronomy Research
• The luminosity evolution of nova shells -- I. A new analysis of old data
• Witnessing History: Rates and Detectability of Naked-Eye Milky-Way Supernovae
• Characterizing the Advective Hot Flows of Nova-Like Cataclysmic Variables in the X-rays: The case of BZ Cam and V592 Cas
• A Search for recurrent novae among Far Eastern guest stars
• Searching for nova shells around cataclysmic variables -- II. A second campaign