2010A&A...516A..54I

Spectral evolution of nova V838 Her 1991 was monitored at Asiago Astrophysical Observatory from 1991 March 31 to July 2. The spectra in the early decline stage showed emission lines of HI, HeI, HeII, NII, NIII, CII, CIII, CIV, SiII, [SIII], [NeIII], and FeII, where some identifications are different from those reported in the previous works. The emission lines of [NeIII] and carbon ions were unusually intense. New emission peaks appeared at the blue-ward edges of the emission lines of HI and HeI about one week after maximum luminosity. It seems that a new clump of gas was ejected at that time along the line of sight towards us. The helium abundance is estimated at N(He)=0.11±0.01.