LOTUS NUV-Optical Spectroscopy of AG Peg
ATel #7749; I. A.Steele, H. E. Jermak, J. M. Marchant, S. D. Bates (Liverpool JMU)
on 2 Jul 2015; 14:39 UT
Credential Certification: Iain Steele (iainsteele@mac.com)
Subjects: Binary, Cataclysmic Variable, Nova, Variables
Referred to by ATel #: 7779
We were alerted by Atel#7741to the ongoing outburst of the symbiotic nova AG Peg. This formed an ideal first science target for the new LOTUS NUV-optical spectrograph being commissioned at the Liverpool Telescope on La Palma. We obtained a 20 second exposure on the night of 2015 July 01 covering 3200 - 6200 Angstroms at a resolution R~300.
The spectrum shows strong emission lines from the Balmer series of Hydrogen down to H-9 (where the lines start to blend). Also present are lines of He I (4471, 4686, 4919, 5011, 5876 Angstroms), He-II (5406, 5880 Angstroms), NIII (4640 Angstroms) and [OIII] (5013 Angstroms). Numerous other smaller features are also present. A preliminary flux calibration shows the Balmer jump is strong, with a continuum flux ratio of ~4:1.
The H-beta EW is 35 Angstroms, He II 4684 is 17 Angstroms and NIII is 12 Angstroms. The oxygen and nitrogen features in particular appear stronger relative to the Balmer lines than the spectrum from 2014 Oct 02 taken by Jim Ferreira (Livermore CA) and presented at http://www.lafterhall.com/Spectroscopy_of_Symbiotic_Type_Stars.html
Liverpool Telescope
