The Nova Rate in the Elliptical Component of NGC 5128
Abstract
We present the results of a five year nova survey of NGC 5128 performed with an Hα filter at the prime focus of the CTIO 4 m telescope. In all, 16 novae were detected, of which 12 are members of a statistically complete and homogeneous sample unaffected by the absorption lane of the galaxy. When normalized to B luminosity, the nova rate in the elliptical component of NGC 5128 is 2.7 +/- 1.0 times less than that observed in the bulge of M31. However, when normalized in the infrared K bandpass, the two nova rates are identical, and comparable to that measured in the Large Magellanic Cloud. These data suggest that (1) the percentage of binary stars is approximately constant over a large range of star-forming environments, (2) the nova rate in our own galaxy is between 11 and 46 yr^-1^, and (3) nova rates are not strongly affected by tidal captures in bright globular clusters.
- Publication:
-
The Astronomical Journal
- Pub Date:
- April 1990
- DOI:
- 10.1086/115397
- Bibcode:
- 1990AJ.....99.1079C
- Keywords:
-
- Elliptical Galaxies;
- Novae;
- Peculiar Galaxies;
- Absorption Spectra;
- Charge Coupled Devices;
- Galactic Bulge;
- H Alpha Line;
- Spatial Distribution;
- Telescopes;
- Astrophysics;
- GALAXIES: INDIVIDUAL;
- STARS: NOVAE