Observations of Novae in the Infrared

Nova explosions play an important part in producing some of the isotopic anomalies that are present in the remnants of the primitive solar system. We review the use of infrared observations to quantify the physical parameters of classical nova outbursts and to assess their contributions to the interstellar medium. We conclude that some recent bright novae ejected shells that are extremely overabundant in CNO, Ne, Mg, Al, and Si. The properties of dust grains that condense in nova ejecta are reviewed and compared properties of grains released from comet nuclei during perihelion passage. Future nova observations with SOFIA and JWST are anticipated.