Accretion disc inclinations and absolute magnitudes of classical nova remnants

Abstract

Absolute magnitudes for 47 nova remnants are derived from application of the Mv(max)–rate of decline relationship and apparent range. This method has the advantage of being independent of reddening. For those systems where an estimate of orbital inclination is available – which includes the use of a relationship between emission-line equivalent width and inclination – a strong correlation between absolute magnitude and inclination is found. This relationship agrees well with the theoretical luminosity of a limb darkened disc as a function of inclination. It is deduced that nova remnants all have closely the same absolute visual magnitude (when viewed at a given inclination), independent of speed, class or orbital period.