EROS variable stars: discovery of a slow nova in the SMC

Abstract

We report the discovery of a slow nova found in the core of the Small Magellanic Cloud by the EROS microlensing survey. Nova SMC 1994 is a classical nova with a DQ Her type lightcurve characterized by a deep minimum. Low amplitude variations occuring on time-scales of hours and days are also detected at maximum light. Spectra collected during the nebular phase indicate that Nova SMC 1994 is similar to Galactic novae of the same class. Large helium enhancement in the shell is found and O and N enrichments are suspected. Based on observations collected at the European Southern Observatory, Chile.