Ulisse Munari

Astronomical Observatory of Padova

torek, 19. 10. 2010, ob 12h v S206

sreda, 20. 10. 2010, ob 16h v F3

četrtek, 21. 10. 2010, ob 16h v F7

The outburst of novae are energized by degenerate thermonuclear runaways, occurring at the surface of a white dwarf accreting from a companion star in a binary system. They represent one of the most energetic event observed in low mass stars, so bright to be discovered and studied throughout the whole Local Group of galaxies with medium-size ground-based telescopes, and up to Virgo cluster with space observatories.
The main observational properties of novae, from gamma-rays to radio wavelengths, will be reviewed. Emphasis will be placed on the results obtainable with optical telescopes like those available to students in Ljubljana and Črni Vrh. The physics of the nova explosion, matter ejection and shaping, stable nuclear burning, energy transport in the ejecta, dust condensation, photo-ionization and return to pre-outburst conditions will be discussed. The evolutionary channel leading to supernovae type Ia will be discussed.
Actual observations of several of the most recent novae will be used to carry out simple analysis during classes, and to discuss several interesting phenomena from ‘live’ data.