Modelling V838 Monocerotis as a Mergeburst Object

Abstract

We discuss the main observational facts on the eruption of V838 Monocerotis in terms of possible outburst mechanisms. We conclude that the stellar merger scenario is the only one, which can consistently explain the observations.

To appear in ASP Conf. Ser.,The Nature of V838 Mon and its Light Echo, ed. R.L.M. Corradi and U. Munari