2000A&A...364L...1S

We present here the first results of UVES observations of RR Tel. The exceptional performances of the instrument have allowed the detection of new spectral features and have led to an improvement in the identifications of several emission lines. A direct comparison with the IUE observations in the range 3045-3300 Åhas revealed the appearance of many weak and shallow lines, most of them lacking a convincing identification. The Balmer lines are visible up to H₃₈ and are accompanied by the He II lines of the Pickering series. Also, all of the He II emissions of the Pfund series, from 5858Å to 6408Å have been detected. We made definite identifications of additional TiO bands at 4955Å (α R₂ 1-0), 5167Å (α R₂ 0-0), 5445Å (α R₂ 0-1), 5598Å (β R₁ 0-0), 5847Å (γ' R₁ 1-0), and 6148Å (γ'^SR₂₁ 0-0). The Hα line has very wide wings, extending to at least 5000km/s, which are similar to those reported for the planetary nebula IC 4997 and attributed to Raman scattering by Lyβ photons. A selective pumping mechanism via the HeII 237Å emission is proposed to explain the intensity of the high-lying lines of O IV mult. 1 and 2.