IUE AND OPTICAL-SPECTRA OF AL-COMAE-BERENICES DURING A RARE SUPEROUTBURST

We present optical spectra from 3 to 21 days and IUE spectra at 10 and 19 days following the outburst of the extreme amplitude, very short o rbital period cataclysmic variable AL Corn after a 20 yr quiescent int erval. The IUE spectra have no evidence of P Cyg profiles and show an early presence of Ly alpha absorption, which may be indicative of a 25 ,000 K white dwarf. The optical spectra show only weak Balmer absorpti on throughout this interval, with no dramatic changes within the 3 wee ks. The spectra are compared to those available for the few other syst ems that had similar long outbursts following a long quiescence (WZ Sg e, WX Get, SW UMa). (C) 1996 American Astronomical Society.