Spectral evolution of nova V443 Scuti 1989

Abstract

Spectroscopy of the moderately fast nova V443 is presented. Observations were made during the brightness fluctuations following maximum and during the transition stage. A few broadband polarimetric observations are also given. The spectrum and its evolution are similar to novae with the same type of light curves. The extinction E(B-V) = 0.4 is derived from ratios of higher members of the hydrogen Balmer and Paschen series; a distance of 8.0 kpc is estimated from magnitude-decay time relations. Balmer line fluxes at late stages are used to derive the mass of the ejected ionized shell, about 3.5 x 10 exp -5 solar masses.