Part of the 2009 spectrum showing details of highly excited rotational lines of the TiO γ (5, 3) and (6, 4) bands. The V838 Mon spectrum (in black) is overlaid with an M5 III spectrum (in red). The latter spectrum was shifted to a heliocentric radial velocity of 88 km s^-1. A narrow Hα emission line and a broad CaI absorption profile can be recognized in the spectrum of V838 Mon.