SPECTROSCOPIC OBSERVATIONS OF V443 HERCULIS - A SYMBIOTIC BINARY WITHA LOW-MASS WHITE-DWARF

We present an analysis of new and existing photometric and spectroscop ic observations of the symbiotic binary V443 Herculis. This binary sys tem consists of a normal M5 giant (M(g) approximately 2.5M.) and a hot , compact star (M(h) approximately 0.4M.). These two objects have comp arable luminosities: L(g) approximately 1500 L. and L(h) approximately 1000L. for an adopted distance of 2 kpc. We identify three nebular re gions in this binary: a small, highly ionized volume surrounding the h ot component, a modestly ionized shell close to the red giant photosph ere, and a less dense region of intermediate ionization encompassing b oth binary components. The system parameters for V443 Her suggest the hot component currently declines from a symbiotic nova eruption.