A&A 410, 943-949 (2003)
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361:20031309

Recovery of the old nova V840 Ophiuchi: A carbon rich system

L. Schmidtobreick¹, C. Tappert², A. Bianchini³ and R. E. Mennickent<sup>2

1</sup>  European Southern Observatory, Casilla 19001, Santiago 19, Chile
²  Grupo de Astronomía, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
³  Dipartimento di Astronomia, Università di Padova, Vicolo dell'Osservatorio 2, 35122 Padova, Italy

(Received 27 May 2003 / Accepted 18 August 2003)

Abstract
We present optical spectroscopy and multi colour photometry of the old nova V840 Oph. We rediscovered the nova based on its position in the colour-colour diagrams. It stands out as a very blue object with an additional red component. We present the first optical spectroscopy of this candidate and confirm its nova character. Furthermore, V840 Oph has been found as one of very few cataclysmic variables showing C IV emission at nm. From the analysis of the carbon lines it seems probable that V840 Oph contains actually a carbon-rich secondary star. So far, only the nova-like QU Car has been known to have such a companion. We furthermore find spectroscopic evidence that V840 Oph has a hot, dense accretion disc or stream and is probably a magnetic system.

Key words: stars: novae, cataclysmic variables -- stars: individual: V840 Oph

Offprint request: L. Schmidtobreick, lschmidt@eso.org

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