UNDERSTANDING THE GAMMA-RAY PRODUCTION MECHANISM IN NOVA SHOCKS

We propose a 60ks observation for one new GeV bright nova to explore theparticle acceleration and gammaray production mechanisms. We will constrain theparticle acceleration efficiency by comparing thermal Xray to GeV luminosityand search for predicted nonthermal Xrays. Understanding shocks in novae isr^ant for other shockpowered transients including Type IIn supernovae, tidaldisruption events and stellar mergers. NuSTAR is the only instrument capable ofdetecting Xrays from novae simultaneously with the GeV emission (the lowerenergy Xrays accessible to other focusing instruments are hidden by the novashell at these times). The observations should be conducted now to takeadvantage of the simultaneous operations with Fermi/LAT. truncated!, Please see actual data for full text [truncated!, Please see actual data for full text]