On the Existence of Jets in the Recurrent Nova T Pyxidis

Abstract

Recently, it has been claimed that the recurrent nova T Pyxidis exhibits oppositely directed jets of ejecta apparent in features seen in Ha emission. Here we demonstrate that these features are in fact emission in the [N ii] lines that lie on either side of Ha and arise from the expanding shell associated with this object rather than from collimated jets. We estimate an expansion velocity along a line of sight through the center of the shell of about 500 km s 1 .