Early spectroscopic observations of Nova (V1494) Aquilae 1999 No.2

Low- and medium resolution spectra of the fast nova, Nova (V1494) Aql 1999 No.2 obtained approximately 6, 7, 19 and 28 days after the maximum brightne ss are presented and discussed. The spectrum covering the whole optical ran ge at day 6 shows the principal plus diffuse-enhanced spectrum. The presenc e of strong Fe II multiplets with P-Cyg profiles suggest that V1494 Aql bel ongs to the "Fe II" class defined by Williams (1992). The medium-resolution profiles (gimel/Delta gimel approximate to 7000) of the H gamma and H delt a lines shows well-defined sharp absorption features with the same radial v elocities, while the H alpha split into two distinct emission peaks in the last two spectra (Delta t=19 and 28 days). The observed behaviour suggests an expanding equatorial ring with possible small-scale clumpiness in the no va shell. The visual lightcurve is used to deduce My by the maximum magnitu de versus rate of decline relationship. The resulting parameters are: t(2) = 6.6 +/- 0.5 days, t(3)=16+/-0.5 days, Mv = -8.8 +/- 0.2 mag. Adopting thi s value, a distance d=3.6+/-0.3 kpc is determined.