Quiet after the storm: quiescent novae

We propose to observe five quiescent, accreting novae, 152 to 2 years after theoutburst. We will explore the role of the mass transfer rate, white dwarf massand magnetic fields in shaping the evolution and the characteristics of thethermonuclear flashes, in targets that were well monitored in outburst. Thetheory of explosive hydrogen burning in a shell on massive white dwarfs is thebasis for understanding novae and type Ia supernovae, but many observationalparameters are unknown. These observations will provide the key for betterunderstanding nova evolution. They will also be a legacy of XMMNewton, andgroundwork for programs of future Xray observatories. truncated!, Please see actual data for full text [truncated!, Please see actual data for full text]