Abundance analysis of the recurrent nova RS Ophiuchi (2006 outburst)

We present an analysis of elemental abundances of ejecta of the recurrent nova RS Oph using published optical and near-infrared spectra during the 2006 outburst. We use the CLOUDY photoionization code to generate synthetic spectra by varying several parameters, the model generated spectra are then matched with the observed emission line spectra obtained at two epochs. We obtain the best fit model parameters through the χ2 minimization technique. Our model results fit well with observed optical and near-infrared spectra. The best-fit model parameters are compatible with a hot white dwarf source with TBB of 5.5-5.8 × 105 K and roughly constant a luminosity of 6-8 × 1036 ergs s−1. From the analysis we find the following abundances (by number) of elements with respect to solar: He/H = 1.8 ± 0.1, N/H = 12.0 ± 1.0, O/H = 1.0 ± 0.4, Ne/H = 1.5 ± 0.1, Si/H = 0.4 ± 0.1, Fe/H = 3.2 ± 0.2, Ar/H = 5.1 ± 0.1, and Al/H = 1.0 ± 0.1, all other elements were set at the solar abundance. This shows the ejecta are significantly enhanced, relative to solar, in helium, nitrogen, neon, iron and argon. Using the obtained parameter values, we estimate an ejected mass in the range of 3.4-4.9 × 10−6 M⊙ which is consistent with observational results.