CNO isotope production in nova outbursts

A current model of novae is presented which explains their outbursts assuming that the progenitor of a common nova is a carbon-oxygen dwarf. This white dwarf accretes H-rich material from its companion which produces strong shock waves at its surface; as the amount of accreted material increases later, its bottom ignites. The nova outburst is then triggered by CNO-Ne reactions which favor the formation of rare isotopes with proton-rich radioactive parents such as C-13, N-15, O-17, and Ne-21. The production of such nuclear species is examined in different nova models, and conclusions are drawn concerning the importance of novae in models of chemical evolution of the galaxy.