Global Jet Watch

Abstract:

We present two further classical novae, V906 Car and V5668 Sgr, which show jets and accretion disc spectral signatures in their H α complexes throughout the first 1000 d following their eruptions. From extensive densely time-sampled spectroscopy, we measure the appearance of the first high-velocity absorption component in V906 Car, and the duration of the commencement of the main H α emission. We constrain the time taken for V5668 Sgr to transition to the nebular phase using [N II] 6584 Å. We find these timings to be consistent with the jet and accretion disc model for explaining optical spectral line profile changes in classical novae, and discuss the implications of this model for enrichment of the interstellar medium.

Abstract:

The classical nova YZ Reticuli was discovered in 2020 July. Shortly after this, we commenced a sustained, highly time-sampled coverage of its subsequent rapid evolution with time-resolved spectroscopy from the Global Jet Watch observatories. Its H-alpha complex exhibited qualitatively different spectral signatures in the following weeks and months. We find that these H-alpha complexes are well described by the same five Gaussian emission components throughout the six months following eruption. These five components appear to constitute two pairs of lines, from jet outflows and an accretion disc, together with an additional central component. The correlated, symmetric patterns that these jet/accretion disc pairs exhibit suggest precession, probably in response to the large perturbation caused by the nova eruption. The jet and accretion disc signatures persist from the first 10 d after brightening – evidence that the accretion disc survived the disruption. We also compare another classical nova (V6568 Sgr) that erupted in 2020 July whose H-alpha complex can be described analogously, but with faster line-of-sight jet speeds exceeding 4000 km s−1. We suggest that classical novae with higher mass white dwarfs bridge the gap between recurrent novae and classical novae such as YZ Reticuli.

Abstract:

B[ e ] supergiants are a rare and unusual class of massive and luminous stars, characterised by opaque circumstellar envelopes. GG Carinae is a binary whose primary component is a B[ e ] supergiant and whose variability has remained unsatisfactorily explained. Using photometric data from ASAS, OMC, and ASAS-SN, and spectroscopic data from the Global Jet Watch and FEROS to study visible emission lines, we focus on the variability of the system at its ∼31-day orbital period and constrain the stellar parameters of the primary. There is one photometric minimum per orbital period and, in the emission line spectroscopy, we find a correlation between the amplitude of radial velocity variations and the initial energy of the line species. The spectral behaviour is consistent with the emission lines forming in the primary’s wind, with the variable amplitudes between line species being caused by the less energetic lines forming at larger radii on average. By modelling the atmosphere of the primary, we are able to model the radial velocity variations of the wind lines in order to constrain the orbit of the binary. We find that the binary is even more eccentric than previously believed (e = 0.5 ± 0.03). Using this orbital solution, the system is brightest at periastron and dimmest at apastron, and the shape of the photometric variations at the orbital period can be well described by the variable accretion by the secondary of the primary’s wind. We suggest that the evolutionary history of GG Carinae may need to be reevaluated in a binary context.

Abstract:

In this chapter, we review some features of particle acceleration in astrophysical jets. We begin by describing four observational results relating to the topic, with particular emphasis on jets in active galactic nuclei and parallels between different sources. We then discuss the ways in which particles can be accelerated to high energies in magnetised plasmas, focusing mainly on shock acceleration, second-order Fermi and magnetic reconnection; in the process, we attempt to shed some light on the basic conditions that must be met by any mechanism for the various observational constraints to be satisfied. We describe the limiting factors for the maximum particle energy and briefly discuss multimessenger signals from neutrinos and ultrahigh energy cosmic rays, before describing the journey of jet plasma from jet launch to cocoon with reference to the different acceleration mechanisms. We conclude with some general comments on the future outlook.