Explosive lithium production in the classical nova V339 Del (Nova Delphini 2013)
Abstract
The origin of lithium (Li) and its production process have long been an unsettled question in cosmology and astrophysics. Candidates environments of Li production events or sites suggested by previous studies include big bang nucleosynthesis, interactions of energetic cosmic rays with interstellar matter, evolved low mass stars, novae, and supernova explosions. Chemical evolution models and observed stellar Li abundances suggest that at least half of the present Li abundance may have been produced in red giants, asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars, and novae. However, no direct evidence for the supply of Li from stellar objects to the Galactic medium has yet been found. Here we report on the detection of highly blue-shifted resonance lines of the singly ionized radioactive isotope of beryllium, 7Be, in the near ultraviolet (UV) spectra of the classical nova V339 Del (Nova Delphini 2013). Spectra were obtained 38 to 48 days after the explosion. 7Be decays to form 7Li within a short time (half-life 53.22 days). The spectroscopic detection of this fragile isotope implies that it has been created during the nova explosion via the reaction 3He(α,γ)7Be, and supports the theoretical prediction that a significant amount of 7Li could be produced in classical nova explosions. This finding opens a new way to explore 7Li production in classical novae and provides a clue to the mystery of the Galactic evolution of lithium.
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