Spectroscopic Observations of Nova V1500 Cygni

Scanner data covering V1500 Cygni's first year of outburst are reduced and interpreted. The interstellar reddening of the nova was measured with a variety of techniques, and the distance inferred from the distance-reddening law in the direction of the nova. It is shown that the Balmer emission lines were optically thick during the early nebular phase, and derive a cosmic helium abundance after correcting for this effect. The heavy element composition of the ejecta is measured with the nebular emission lines during the phases of the outburst, and large overabundances of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and neon found.