Spectroscopy of novae and supernovae

Abstract

Many novae have been studied spectroscopically since 1975 and many supernovae since 1980 using the telescopes at Vainu Bappu Observatory (VBO). The program on novae has intensified since 1985, and that on supernovae has found renewed interest since SN 1987A. The availability of the CCD detector in 1989 and of the Boller & Chivens spectrograph at the Vainu Bappu Telescope (VBT) in 1991 have added impetus to these studies. The motivation for these studies are summarized in this review together with some of the important results obtained with the VBT. The desirable improvements at the VBT are summarized at the end.