Infrared observations of the recurrent nova T pyxidis: Ancient dust basks in the warm glow of the 2011 outburs

Abstract

We present Spitzer Space Telescope and Herschel Space Observatory infrared observations of the recurrent nova T Pyx during its 2011 eruption, complemented by ground-base opticalinfrared photometry. We find that the eruption has heated dust in the pre-existing nebulosity associated with T Pyx. This is most likely interstellar dust swept up by T Pyx-either during previous eruptions or by a wind-rather than the accumulation of dust produced during eruptions. © 2012 The Authors, MNRAS 424, L69-L73 Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. © 2012 RAS.