The Impact of Nova Outbursts on the Chemical Abundance of the Interstellar Medium

Abstract Nova outbursts are the results of thermonuclear runaways, which occur when sufficient material accretes on the surfaces of white dwarfs (WDs). Using the MESA code, we construct a detailed grid for carbon-oxygen and oxygen-neon-magnesium novae. By employing population synthesis methods, we conducted a statistical analysis of the distribution of novae in the Milky Way. In our models, each nova system can undergo ∽ 8000 eruption, and the Galactic nova rate is ∽130 yr -1 . The C, N and O elements in nova ejecta are strongly affected by the mixing degree between WD core and accreted material. Our results show that the abundances of 13 C, 15 N, and 17 O in nova ejecta are about an order of magnitude higher than those on the surface of red giant. It indicates that the odd-numbered nuclear elements of 13 C, 15 N, and 17 O in the Galactic ISM mainly originate from nova eruptions.