Investigation of the Progenitors of Nova Explosions

Abstract: Recurrent novae (RNe) play an important role as one of the suspected progenitor systems of Type Ia supernovae (SNe) which are used as primary distance indicators in cosmology. Thus, it is important to investigate the nature of their central binary systems to determine the relation between the parameters of the central system and outburst type, and finally ascertain the population of novae that might be available to give rise to the progenitors of Type Ia SNe. The details of the preliminary investigation looking for characteristics that may distinguish recurrent and classical novae (CNe) systems, the selection of initial targets for detailed study, and preliminary results are presented. We identified 10 suspected RNe among the Galactic CNe for investigation with the Liverpool Telescope population and our initial photometric observations of their quiescent systems suggest 2 may belong to the RS Oph type and 2 to the U Sco type RNe. Spectroscopic follow-up is now underway.