The infrared variability and nature of symbiotic stars – II. RR Tel

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Abstract
JHKL infrared photometry is given for the very slow nova – symbiotic system RR Tel for the years 1972–81. The presence in the system of a cool Mira-like component of period 387 days is established. Evidence for a similar periodicity in the photographic region prior to the 1944 outburst is used to suggest that single star models for the system are quite unlikely. The results are consistent with the presence in the system of a Mira of constant period and constant mean luminosity at all times. RR Tel is 1.9kpc from the Galactic plane indicating membership of an old stellar population. If the Mira component is normal then the infrared excess (which is presumably due to dust in the system) increases towards Mira minimum. The simplest interpretation of this result is that the dust is at least partly heated by the blue component and/or ionized gas in the system, contrary to earlier assumptions. The available evidence indicates that all very slow novae contain cool giant or supergiant components. The systems are therefore of large physical size and the significance of this for theories of the nova outburst is mentioned.

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