2025MNRAS.541L..14M

Query : 2025MNRAS.541L..14M

2025MNRAS.541L..14M - Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc., 541, L14-L21 (2025/July-3)

Is the symbiotic recurrent nova T CrB late? Recent photometric evolution and comparison with past pre-outburst behaviour.

MERC J., WYRZYKOWSKI L., BECK P.G., MIKOLAJCZYK P.J., KOTYSZ K., ZIELINSKI P., ZOLA S., KUROWSKI S., OGLOZA W., DROZDZ M., GALDIES C., HAMBSCH F.-J., BRINCAT S.M., JOACHIMCZYK B., BRONIKOWSKI M., JAPELJ J., MIHELCIC M., CARRASCO J.M., BURGAZ U., GURGUL A., BAKOWSKA K., HOFBAUER P., SZYSZKA K., GOLONKA J., QVAM J.K.T., ZDANAVICIUS J., PAKSTIENE E., MASKOLIUNAS M., CEPAS V., PYLYPENKO U., MOZDZIERSKI D., DUBOIS F., VANAVERBEKE S., OLSZEWSKA J.M., LIAKOS A., STOJANOVIC M., DAMLJANOVIC G., POPOWICZ A., MARZEC M., BADURA M., GIL B., PUCEK A., KOWALSKA A., SZKLARZ M., KVERNADZE T., REGUITTI A., AWIPHAN S., DENNEFELD M. and GAZEAS K.

Abstract (from CDS):

T CrB is a symbiotic recurrent nova that last erupted in 1946. Given its recurrence time-scale of approximately 80 yr, the next outburst is eagerly anticipated by the astronomical community. In this work, we analyse the optical light curves of T CrB, comparing recent photometric evolution with historical data to evaluate potential predictive indicators of nova eruptions. Although the 'superactive' phases preceding both the 1946 and anticipated eruptions are strikingly similar, the subsequent photometric behaviour differs. We find that the decline in brightness observed in 2023, interpreted by some as a 'pre-eruption dip', deviates from the deep minimum recorded prior to the 1946 event and does not reliably predict the eruption timing. Recent photometric and spectroscopic observations indicate that the system is returning to a high-accretion state. Given this, an eruption may be imminent, even without distinct precursors. While the next eruption of T CrB will be a major scientific event, its expected peak brightness of $V \sim 2$ mag highlights the importance of setting realistic public expectations for what will be a visually modest, yet astrophysically very significant, celestial event.

Abstract Copyright: © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Royal Astronomical Society.

Journal keyword(s): binaries: symbiotic - stars: individual: T CrB - novae, cataclysmic variables

Status at CDS : Large table(s) will be appraised for possible ingestion in VizieR.

Simbad objects: 9

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Number of rows : 9
N Identifier Otype ICRS (J2000)
RA 		ICRS (J2000)
DEC 		Mag U Mag B Mag V Mag R Mag I Sp type #ref
1850 - 2026 		#notes
1 * bet Cet PM* 00 43 35.37090 -17 59 11.7827 3.90 3.02 2.01 1.29 0.78 G9.5IIICH-1 543 1
2 * alf Ari PM* 02 07 10.40570 +23 27 44.7032 4.29 3.17 2.01 1.15 0.54 K2-IIIbCa-1 644 2
3 * alf UMi cC* 02 31 49.09456 +89 15 50.7923 3.00 2.62 2.02 1.53 1.22 F8Ib 716 2
4 V* YZ Ret No* 03 58 29.5511765184 -54 46 41.230757208 15.54 16.588 16.680     sdB?/DA? 76 0
5 * alf Hya * 09 27 35.24270 -08 39 30.9583 5.14 3.42 1.97 0.93 0.16 K3IIIa 455 1
6 V* T CrB Sy* 15 59 30.1622265912 +25 55 12.613382940   11.516 10.247 9.70   M3IIIe_sh 810 0
7 V* RS Oph Sy* 17 50 13.1591484960 -06 42 28.480729788   11.884 10.776 11.228   K5.5/M0IIIe 1163 0
8 V* V745 Sco Sy* 17 55 22.2260994408 -33 14 58.551839808     17.987   13.353 M2/M6IIIe 265 1
9 V* V3890 Sgr No* 18 30 43.2877623168 -24 01 08.944843980     15.944 14.798 12.611 M5III 232 0

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