A Search for recurrent novae among Far Eastern guest stars

Abstract

According to recent theoretical studies, classical novae are expected to erupt every ∼105 years, while the recurrence time scale of modern recurrent novae (Nr) stars ranges from 10 to ∼100 years. To bridge this huge gap in our knowledge (three orders of magnitude in time scales), it appears attractive to consider historical data: In Far Eastern sources, we searched for brightening events at different epochs but similar positions that possibly refer to recurrent nova eruptions. Probing a sample of ∼185 Asian observations from ∼500 BCE to 1700 CE, we present a method to systematically filter possible events. The result are a few search fields with between 2 and 5 flare ups and typical cadences between 102 and 103 years. For most of our recurrence candidates, we found possible counterparts among known cataclysmic variables in the corresponding search areas. This work is based on an interdisciplinary approach, combining methods from digital humanities and computational astrophysics when applying our previously developed methods in searches for classical novae among Far Eastern guest stars. A first and rather preliminary comparison of (possible) historical and (well known) modern recurrent novae reveals first tentative hints on some of their properties, stimulating further studies in this direction.