IR Observations of the Symbiotic Nova HM Sagittae

Extract

The infrared photometry of the symbiotic nova HM Sge, with a Mira variable as a cool component, shows that since 1983 its mean IR brightness began to decrease from the previous post-outburst level (Figure 1). In 1988 the mean J magnitude was already about 1 mag fainter than it had been until 1983.

An analysis of the photometric observations shows that the decrease in the mean IR light level of HM Sge may be understood in the framework of the commonly accepted model of this binary stellar system (Taranova and Yudin 1983), if we suggest that the Mira variable and the inner parts of its circumstellar envelope (R_{Mira envolope}^~ 3×l0¹⁴ cm; τ_dust ≲ 1 at 1.25 µm until 1983) were gradually obscured by the dust originated between them and the observer.