Decline in Mass Transfer Rate Observed in T Pyxidis Nova

The recurrent nova T Pyxidis has experienced six eruptions since 1890, with the most recent occurring in 2011. According to a recent study by P. Godon and colleagues, the mass transfer rate in T Pyxidis has been declining significantly since its last outburst. The research indicates that the mass transfer rate has decreased by approximately 40% compared to pre-outburst levels, currently estimated at about 1-3 × 10^-7 M⊙/yr for a white dwarf mass between 1.0 and 1.4 M⊙. This decline is attributed to a feedback loop that has gradually shut off, which previously allowed the secondary star to be heated by the hot white dwarf, thereby increasing the mass transfer rate.

The analysis utilized data from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and compared it with archival data from the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE). The findings reveal that the rate of decline in mass transfer is now 29 times faster than the rate observed from 1890 to 2010. This rapid decrease suggests that T Pyxidis is undergoing an unusual and short-lived phase in its evolutionary process. The study highlights the importance of monitoring such systems, as they can provide insights into the dynamics of binary star interactions and the lifecycle of novae.

The full citation for the study is: Godon, P., Sion, E. M., Williams, R. E., Darnley, M. J., Sokoloski, J. L., & Lawrence, S. S. (2024). The Accelerating Decline of the Mass Transfer Rate in the Recurrent Nova T Pyxidis. arXiv:2409.02090.