2012CBET.3103....1R

R. J. Rudy and R. W. Russell, Aerospace Corporation; M. L. Sitko, University of Cincinnati; C. M. Lisse, Applied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University; J. Rayner and W. Golisch, Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF); and C. Chen, Space Telescope Science Institute, report on 0.8- to 5.2-micron spectroscopy of N Oph 2012 (cf. CBETs 3072, 3081) acquired on May 1 and 2 UT using the Spex instrument on the IRTF. The nova exhibits carbon-monoxide emission from the fundamental and the first and second overtones. The peak of the emission from the first overtone is approximately seven times that of the underlying continuum – which is, to the authors' knowledge, the highest value observed in a nova. The CO fundamental is much weaker than the first overtone, indicating that the emission is optically thick in the fundamental. Atomic emission lines are present from neutral carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen, and He I emission is weak but present. The Ca II infrared triplet is extremely strong. Dust formation has not yet occurred but will almost certainly take place in the near future.