A search for cool molecular gas in GK Persei and other classical novae
  Detecting molecular line emission from classical nova remnants has the
potential of revealing information on the composition of the ejecta, in
particular, it can deliver accurate isotopic ratios in the matter processed by
a thermonuclear runaway. We conducted searches toward more than 100 classical
novae for emission in lines of the CO or HCN molecules using single-dish
telescopes and interferometric arrays at millimeter and submillimeter
wavelengths. The survey demonstrates that classical novae, young or old, are
not strong sources of molecular emission at submillimeter and millimeter
wavelengths. Additionally, we mapped CO emission around Nova Persei 1901 (GK
Per), earlier claimed to be circumstellar in origin. Our measurements indicate
that the observed emission is from the interstellar medium. Although no
molecular emission at millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths has been found
in classical novae, it is still likely that some will be detected with
high-sensitivity interferometers such as ALMA.
