Swift observations of the X-ray and UV evolution of V2491 Cyg (Nova Cyg 2008 No. 2) |
| |
| Authors: | K L Page J P Osborne P A Evans G A Wynn A P Beardmore R L C Starling M F Bode A Ibarra E Kuulkers J-U Ness GJ Schwarz |
| |
| Institution: | X-Ray and Observational Astronomy Group, Department of Physics &Astronomy, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH;Theoretical Astrophysics Group, Department of Physics &Astronomy, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH;Astrophysics Research Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool CH41 1LD;XMM-Newton Science Operations Centre, ESAC, Apartado 78, 28691 Villanueva de la Cañada, Madrid, Spain;INTEGRAL Science Operations Centre, ESAC, Apartado 78, 28691 Villanueva de la Cañada, Madrid, Spain;Department of Geology and Astronomy, West Chester University, West Chester, PA 19383, USA |
| |
| Abstract: | We present extensive, high-density Swift observations of V2491 Cyg (Nova Cyg 2008 No. 2). Observing the X-ray emission from only one day after the nova discovery, the source is followed through the initial brightening, the super-soft source phase and back to the pre-outburst flux level. The evolution of the spectrum throughout the outburst is demonstrated. The UV and X-ray light curves follow very different paths, although changes occur in them around the same times, indicating a link between the bands. Flickering in the late-time X-ray data indicates the resumption of accretion. We show that if the white dwarf (WD) is magnetic, it would be among the most magnetic known; the lack of a periodic signal in our later data argues against a magnetic WD, however. We also discuss the possibility that V2491 Cyg is a recurrent nova, providing recurrence time-scale estimates. |
| |
| Keywords: | stars: individual: V2491 Cyg novae cataclysmic variables |
|
|
