Accretion disc inclinations and absolute magnitudes of classical nova remnants

Abstract

Absolute magnitudes for 47 nova remnants are derived from application of the My(max)-rate of decline relationship and apparent range. This method has the advantage of being independent of reddening. For those systems where an estimate of orbital inclination is available-which includes the use of a relationship between emission-line equivalent width and inclination-a strong correlation between absolute magnitude and inclination is found. This relationship agrees well with the theoretical luminosity of a limb darkened disc as a function of inclination. It is deduced that nova remnants all have closely the same absolute visual magnitude (when viewed at a given inclination), independent of speed, class or orbital period.