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IUE Observations of Novae

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 March 2016

Warren M. Sparks ,
Chi-Chao Wu ,
Albert V. Holm  and
Francis H. Schiffer III
Warren M. Sparks
Affiliation:
Laboratory for Astronomy and Solar Physics, Goddard Space Flight Center
Chi-Chao Wu
Affiliation:
Laboratory for Astronomy and Solar Physics, Goddard Space Flight Center
Albert V. Holm
Affiliation:
Laboratory for Astronomy and Solar Physics, Goddard Space Flight Center
Francis H. Schiffer III
Affiliation:
Laboratory for Astronomy and Solar Physics, Goddard Space Flight Center

Extract

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In addition to offering observing time on a regular schedule, the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) satellite is also being used to observe “targets of opportunity.” Novae represent one of the most exciting targets of opportunity and also one of the most difficult because of their rapid time behavior. During the first year of operation of IUE we were extremely fortunate to have three bright novae outbursts occur: Nova Cygni 1978, WZ Sagittae, and U Scorpii.

Nova Cyg 1978, a fast nova, reached a maximum apparent visual magnitude of 6.2 on September 12, 1978 (Slovak and Vogt 1979). Figure 1 shows the relative flux of Nova Cyg 1978 in the long ultraviolet wavelength range (1900-3200Å) at several different times. One day after maximum (Sept. 13), the nova is still in its absorption line phase. At this point it looks like a supergiant F star with mostly Fell absorption lines (also see Cassatella et al. 1979). Later spectra show the emergence of emission lines, which is the characteristic behavior of novae in the visual. Magnesium II at 2800Å is the strongest emission line in this part of the spectrum for at least a month after outburst. The last spectrum (Nov. 1) shows mainly semi-forbidden lines of carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen. It should also be noted that the slope of the continuum flattens as the nova evolves.

Type
Ultraviolet Astronomy-New Results from Recent Space Experiments
Information
Highlights of Astronomy , Volume 5: Highlights of Astronomy. As presented at the XVIIth General Assembly of the IAU, 1979 , 1980 , pp. 285 - 291
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1980

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