Spectroscopy and photometry of the symbiotic star V4018 Sgr in outburst

Spectroscopy of the the symbiotic star V4018 Sgr (=AS 304), reported by AAVSO observers to be in outburst (cf. AAVSO Alert Notice 470), was obtained with the 0.6m telescope of the Schiaparelli Observatory in Varese (Italy). A low resolution, absolutely fluxed 4000-8650 Ang spectrum (4.24 Ang/pix) was recorded on Sept 13.90 UT. It shows the spectrum of the M giant overwhelmed by a blue continuum up to 6000 Ang, with only hydrogen Balmer and weak HeI lines visible in emission.