Latest spectrum of the nova taken this morning is shown below. Seeing conditions didn’t seem as good as previous days so that may have degraded the spectrum a bit.
A new feature has appeared between H beta and H gamma. It looks very much like the ‘Bowen fluorescence’ feature seen in cataclysmic variables (plus some He II ?) as it is much broader than the other lines. Unfortunately, David Cejudo’s spectrum from 23rd cuts off just above this region(!). Difficult to tell from this uncalibrated spectrum but worth checking over the next few days. Fe lines seem to have changed slightly as well.
H alpha is now dominating the emission so I guess colour images would show it getting redder…
AAVSO data suggest it is now near V-mag 10.5 and falling…
Mike.
British Astronomical Association
Supporting amateur astronomers since 1890
