EDP Sciences Journals List
Advanced Search
Subscriber Authentication Point
Home All issues Volume 410/3 Article
Free access article

Issue A&A
Volume 410, Number 3, November II 2003
Page(s) 943 - 949
Section Stellar atmospheres
DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361:20031309



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. Mennickent2

1  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 $\lambda = 580/1$ 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

SIMBAD Objects



© ESO 2003


What is OpenURL?

The OpenURL standard is a protocol for transmission of metadata describing the resource that you wish to access. An OpenURL link contains article metadata and directs it to the OpenURL server of your choice. The OpenURL server can provide access to the resource and also offer complementary services (specific search engine, export of references...). The OpenURL link can be generated by different means.
  • If your librarian has set up your subscription with an OpenURL resolver, OpenURL links appear automatically on the abstract pages.
  • You can define your own OpenURL resolver with your EDPS Account. In this case your choice will be given priority over that of your library.
  • You can use an add-on for your browser (Firefox or I.E.) to display OpenURL links on a page (see http://www.openly.com/openurlref/). You should disable this module if you wish to use the OpenURL server that you or your library have defined.