EDP Sciences Journals List
Advanced Search
Subscriber Authentication Point
Home All issues Volume 396/ 2 Article

Free access article

Issue A&A
Volume 396, Number 2, December III 2002
Page(s) 629 - 632
Section Formation, structure and evolution of stars
DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361:20021519



A&A 396, 629-632 (2002)
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361:20021519

Research Note

Is KT Mon a classical nova?

T. Kato1 and H. Yamaoka2

1  Department of Astronomy, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
2  Faculty of Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 810-8560, Japan

(Received 23 September 2002 / Accepted 15 October 2002 )

Abstract
KT Mon has been considered as a classical nova in 1942 based on its light curve and spectroscopy. However, we noticed a unusual feature for a nova soon after its maximum: the early presence of high excitation emission lines such as HeII and NIII. We propose previously overlooked interpretations that KT Mon can be either a WZ Sge-type dwarf nova and an X-ray transient, although the possibility of an unusual or a recurrent nova is not completely excluded. If KT Mon is a WZ Sge-type dwarf nova, the system is expected to have a brown dwarf secondary. If KT Mon is an X-ray transient, the system is a good candidate for the nearest black-hole binary. Within our knowledge, the observed features seem to more strongly support the latter possibility. In all possibilities, we can expect a recurrent outburst in meaningfully near future.


Key words: accretion, accretion disks -- novae, cataclysmic variables -- stars: dwarf novae -- X-rays: bursts -- stars: individual: KT Mon

Offprint request: T. Kato, tkato@kusastro.kyoto-u.ac.jp

SIMBAD Objects



© ESO 2002

What is OpenURL?

The OpenURL standard is a protocol for transmission of metadata describing the resource that you wish to access. An OpenURL link contains article metadata and directs it to the OpenURL server of your choice. The OpenURL server can provide access to the resource and also offer complementary services (specific search engine, export of references...). The OpenURL link can be generated by different means.
  • If your librarian has set up your subscription with an OpenURL resolver, OpenURL links appear automatically on the abstract pages.
  • You can define your own OpenURL resolver with your EDPS Account. In this case your choice will be given priority over that of your library.
  • You can use an add-on for your browser (Firefox or I.E.) to display OpenURL links on a page (see http://www.openly.com/openurlref/). You should disable this module if you wish to use the OpenURL server that you or your library have defined.