On the asphericity of nova remnants caused by rotating white dwarf envelopes

Abstract

The effect of rotating white dwarf envelopes in determining the structure of nova shells is examined. This is achieved by numerical hydrodynamic simulations of the flows around a binary star system. In previous studies of remnant formation, this rotation has not been included. It is found that the structures formed in the flow are more consistent with observations of nova shells than the previous theoretical studies. The shells produced by the nova become more prolate with increasing white dwarf envelope rotation. Hence the rotation of white dwarf envelopes must be included in any future discussion of remnant formation. A possible method of identifying the dominant process by which mixing of accreted and white dwarf matter takes place is suggested.