A New Outburst of the Shell Star 48 Librae

Spectrograms taken in 1967 and in 1968 of 48 Librae show that the shell spectrum is at present very strong with strongly asymmetrical lines. The cores of the Balmer lines are sharp on the longward side but winged shortward and emission is visible for the first few series members. The Feii lines show similar asymmetry and the strongest lines are accompanied by emission. The radial velocity shown by different lines varies from about — 130 km/sec to — 3 km/sec. The observed velocities do not fit in with the cyclical pattern of changes observed between 1938 and 1962. A new outburst is indicated.