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From: yeti@sara.la.asu.edu (Peter Hauschildt) Subject: Re: Some thoughts on Nova Cas 93 Date: Sat, 18 Dec 1993 11:46:16 -0700 (MST) Hi Nova-gang, the evolution of the brightness of NCas93 in the last days is indeed VERY interesting! The IUE spectra of Dec 12/13 look like a 'classical' nova in the wind phase at a relatively low expansion velocity. If these spectra (and their optical counterparts) turn out to be pre-maximum, NCas93 will give us the unique (to my knowledge) chance to spectroscopically follow the nova through it's maximum in great detail. It could be a slow-motion version of NCyg92, and that would help to constrain models significantly. The structure of the ejected shell could be determined as a function of time even before and during the (optical) maximum, which was not possible before (we came much closer with NCyg92, but not quite close enough). At optical maximum the shell may be cool enough to form molecules (as Sumner mentioned already), detection of molecular bands and lines in the optical and IR could help us to constrain elemental (& isotopical) abundances for molecule-forming elements much better (but this depends of course on this individual nova, if it is 'kind' enough to form molecules). The slow evolution and low expansion velocities also make spectral analysis easier and more accurate than for (in both senses) faster novae. Polarimetry gives information on the asphericity of the shell, etc. I encourage everybody to obtain as much data as possible, in particular a wide wavelength coverage (from the UV to the IR or more) is very important. As Sumner said, this is may be the first and last chance to observer and analyze a per-maximum nova with IUE, this makes it even more important. Good hunting and clear skies, Peter -- =============================================================== Peter H. Hauschildt Phone: (602) 965-2552 Dept. of Physics & Astronomy Fax: (602) 965-7954 Arizona State University Email: yeti@sara.la.asu.edu Box 871504 yeti@asu (Bitnet) Tempe, AZ 85287-1504 =============================================================== = "Prepare For More Mowing!!" (1) = = "Scientific Progress Goes 'Boink'?!" (2) = = "Real Programmers Don't use Pascal!!!" (3) = =============================================================== (1): C64 game (2): Waterson, 1992 (3): Ed Post, 1982
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