Recurrent novae: What do we know about them?

Abstract

Recurrent novae (RNe) belong to the group of cataclysmic variables that exhibit nova outbursts at intervals on the order of decades. They are rare, with 10 Galactic RNe known to date. Two are known in the LMC, while there are a few suspected RNe in M31. Nova outburst models require a high accretion rate on a massive white dwarf to explain the recurring nova outbursts, making this class of objects one of the most likely progenitor binary systems of Type Ia supernovae. The observational properties of the known Galactic recurrent novae are presented here, together with some discussion on the recent outbursts of RS Ophiuchi (2006), U Scorpii (2010), and T Pyxidis (2011). Copyright © International Astronomical Union 2013.