the iso mission provides a unique opportunity to make very sensitive spectroscopic studies over an enormous wavelength range of the nova outburst phenomenon. we propose to observe the evolution of four novae occurring during the iso mission, in order to gain important information about physical processes in the ejecta, the nuclear processed abundances, and dust and molecule formation. the discovery rate for galactic novae is about 6-10 per year, of which about one third form optically thick dust shells and one third form optically thin dust shells. about one third of all novae go through a coronal line emission phase, during which an enormous number of ground state infrared fine structure lines from many heavy element high ionization stages become very strong, enabling very accurate abundances to be derived, free from the uncertainties in reddening and electron temperatures and densities that affect optical and ultraviolet forbidden-line analyses. the degree of ionization varies continuously during this phase and will provide important information about the evolution of the underlying remnant. the rapid evolution of these transient outbursts provides an opportunity to observe the phenomena of molecule and dust formation in real time. the progress of molecule formation will be revealed by the infrared bands of molecules such as co and sio, while the fact that all the important dust diagnostic features occur in the ir will enable a study of the formation and evolution of various grain species. since nova spectral features undergo rapid temporal evolution, it is crucial that sensitive ir spectra covering the widest possible range of wavelengths be obtained simultaneously - only iso provides this capability.
Instrument
LWS01 , SWS01
Temporal Coverage
1996-07-22T03:40:25Z/1997-08-21T22:50:45Z
Version
1.0
Mission Description
The Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) was the worlds first true orbiting infrared observatory. Equipped with four highly-sophisticated and versatile scientific instruments, it was launched by Ariane in November 1995 and provided astronomers world-wide with a facility of unprecedented sensitivity and capabilities for a detailed exploration of the Universe at infrared wavelengths.
European Space Agency, Barlow et al., 1999, 'TOO: OBSERVATIONS OF NOVAE DURING THE ISO MISSION', 1.0, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-58rm1ug
