V339 Delphini

V339 Delphini

Nova Delphini 2013 (marked)
Observation data
Epoch J2000      Equinox J2000
Constellation Delphinus
Right ascension 20h 23m 30.6865s[1]
Declination +20° 46′ 03.7774″[1]
Apparent magnitude (V) 4.5 Max.
17.5 Min.[2]
Characteristics
Variable type Nova[2]
Astrometry
Proper motion (μ) RA: −4.140±0.534[1] mas/yr
Dec.: −8.609±0.513[1] mas/yr
Parallax (π)0.3814 ± 0.3615 mas[1]
Distance2130+2250
−400[2] pc
Other designations
Nova Del 2013, PNV J20233073+2046041, Gaia DR2 1817026669528976768[3]
Database references
SIMBADdata
The light curve of V339 Delphini from AAVSO data

V339 Delphini or Nova Delphini 2013 (PNV J20233073+2046041) is a bright nova star in the constellation Delphinus. It was discovered on 14 August 2013 by amateur astronomer Koichi Itagaki in Japan and confirmed by the Liverpool Telescope on La Palma. The nova appeared with a magnitude 6.8 when it was discovered and peaked at magnitude 4.3 on 16 August 2013.[4][5][6] A nova is produced by the fusion of accumulated material on the white dwarf nova progenitor acquired from its companion star. The nova system is thus a binary star, and a classical nova.[7] The white dwarf is a carbon-oxygen white dwarf,[8] with an estimated mass of 1.04±0.02 M☉.[9] There is not yet a consensus about what the binary's orbital period is; estimates range from 3.15 hours[10] to 6.43 hours.[9]

The location of V339 Delphini (circled in red)

V339 Del is the first nova that has been observed to synthesize the element lithium. Production of lithium-7 from the decay of beryllium-7, which was observed in the wind blown out of the nova. This is the first direct evidence of the supply of lithium to the interstellar medium by an astronomical object. Lithium-7 is fragile in the environment at the center of a nova, so being blown out of the environment at the center is necessary for the observation of lithium. The beryllium was produced by the fusion of helium-3 with helium-4. Nucleosynthesis of lithium is important in the study of chemical abundances in the universe.[7]

  1. ^ a b c d e Cite error: The named reference Gaia DR2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference Schaefer2018 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Simbad was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Light Curve Generator: AAVSO Data for Nova DEL 2013". American Association of Variable Star Observers. 16 August 2013. Archived from the original on 20 August 2013. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
  5. ^ Bob King (14 August 2013). "Bright New Nova In Delphinus — You can See it Tonight With Binoculars". Universe Today.
  6. ^ Robin Burks (27 October 2014). "Astronomers observe exploding fireball stage of nova". Tech Times.
  7. ^ a b "Classical nova explosions are major lithium factories in the universe". Science Daily. 19 February 2015.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference dege was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference choc was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference ikon was invoked but never defined (see the help page).