IUE and Optical Spectra of AL Comae Berenices During a Rare Superoutburst

Abstract

We present optical spectra from 3 to 21 days and lUE spectra at 10 and 19 days following the outburst of the extreme amplitude, very short orbital period cataclysmic variable AL Corn after a 20 yr quiescent interval. The lUE spectra have no evidence of P Cyg profiles and show an early presence of Lyα absorption, which may be indicative of a 25,000 K white dwarf. The optical spectra show only weak Balmer absorption throughout this interval, with no dramatic changes within the 3 weeks. The spectra are compared to those available for the few other systems that had similar long outbursts following a long quiescence (WZ Sge, WX Cet, SW UMa).