Is a dwarf nova really a 'dwarf' nova

Abstract

Since it is observed that the constituents of dwarf and common novae binary systems are similar, it has been commonly assumed that the mechanisms are the same varying only in the intensity of the outburst. The authors' published work shows that a thermonuclear runaway in the hydrogen-rich envelope of a carbon-oxygen white dwarf is responsible for the common nova outburst as long as the CNO nuclei are enhanced. We report here on less energetic thermonuclear runaways which ejects no material and produce a rapid luminosity rise that levels off on a short time scale. However, the luminosity increase is much too large for a dwarf nova. Several suggestions for reducing the luminosity peak are presented.