Phase-dependent optical and ultraviolet observations of the old nova V603 AQL (1918).

Abstract

Continuous photometric and ultraviolet spectroscopic observations of the old nova V 603 Aql (1918) were simultaneously carried out with the IUE satellite. Periodic visible light variations with an amplitude of about 0.3 m were discovered, and an orbital period of 3h18.3m was derived. The UV spectroscopy revealed strong variations of the emission line strengths and profiles of several ions which are clearly correlated with the phase of the binary system. The UV line spectrum suggests the existence of an accretion disk around the white dwarf and the presence of highly diluted gas surrounding the entire system.