Elemental Mixing in Classical Nova Systemsa

Abstract

Recent theoretical models of mixing mechanisms in classical novae are reviewed. Observational data on heavy-element and He abundances in nova envelopes are presented in tables, and consideration is given to models based on diffusion-induced convection, shear mixing, convective-overshoot-induced flame propagation, and convection-induced shear mixing. It is found that all of the models have difficulties in accounting for the observed abundances; a number of observational tests are proposed to aid in the unambiguous identification of the mixing mechanism. 43 refs.