The unusual radio outburst of Nova Vulpeculae 1984 No. 2

Multifrequency radio monitoring of Nova Vulpeculae 1984 No. 2 has revealed a unique radio light curve, exhibiting a strong outburst which precedes the appearance of normal radio emission from the principal ejecta of the nova by at least 100 days. The early emission is extremely optically-thick and has brightness temperature in excess of 100,000 K. A model is discussed in which the radiation is produced by a strong shock propagating outward through the principal ejecta of the nova, as a result of an interaction with a later, high velocity wind from the central source. It is shown that the general features of the radio light curve can be explained by the presence of a central wind with a mass loss rate of about 0.00001 solar masses/yr, lasting for a period of 200 to 300 days after the optical outburst. The first radio map of nova ejecta shortly after outburst is presented. Comparison of the angular expansion rate to the ejection velocity implies a distance of 3.6 kpc, and preliminary analysis of the main outburst emission indicates a mass and kinetic energy of the ejecta respectively of about 0.0008 solar masses and 8 x 10 to the 45th erg.