Abstract:
Near infrared coronal line emission at 1.98 +/- 0.02 micrometers due to (Si VI) detected in the spectrum of Nova Herculis 1991 as early as about 17 days after optical maximum is reported. The coronal line observations reported here are consistent with X-ray detection five days after outburst and early onset of dust formation processes in the nova. They support the model of a hot shocked circumstellar envelope at the periphery of the dust formation zone in the nova in which first X-rays and then coronal emission manifested itself.
