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An Extremely Slow Nova?

Patricia Whitelock, Freddy Marang

astro-pharXiv:astro-ph/0102498

Abstract

The binary companion to the peculiar F supergiant HD 172481 is shown to be a Mira variable with a pulsation period of 312 days. Its characteristics are within the normal range found for solitary Miras of that period, although its pulsation amplitude and mass-loss rate (M(dot) ~ 3 x 10-6 solar masses per year) are higher than average. Reasons are given for suspecting that the F supergiant, which has L ~ 104 solar luminosities, is a white dwarf burning hydrogen accreted from its companion.

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