Galactic Novae is at present well established class of gamma-ray sources. We
wonder for how long the mechanism of acceleration of electrons operates in
shells of Novae. In order to put constraints on the time scale of the electron
acceleration, we consider a specific model for the injection and propagation of
electrons within the shell of the recurrent Nova RS Ophiuchi. We calculate the
equilibrium spectra of electrons within the Nova shell and the gamma-ray fluxes
produced by these electrons in the comptonization of the soft radiation from
the Red Giant within the Nova binary system and also radiation from the Nova
photosphere. We investigate two component, time dependent model in which a
spherically ejected Nova shell propagates freely in the polar region of the
Nova binary system. But, the shell is significantly decelerated in the dense
equatorial region of the binary system. We discuss the conditions for which
electrons can produce gamma-rays which might be detectable by the present
and/or future gamma-ray observatories. It is concluded that freely expending
shells of Novae in the optimal case (strongly magnetised shell and efficiency
of acceleration of electrons of the order of 10%) can produce TeV gamma-rays
within the sensitivity of the Cherenkov Telescpe Array only within 1-2 years
after explosion. On the other hand, decelerated shells of Novae have a chance
to be detected during the whole recurrence period of RS Ophiuchi, i.e. ~15
years.
Preprint
Comment: 12 pages, 9 figures, accepted to MNRAS
Subject: Astrophysics - High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena