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D. R. Ciardi, G. T. van Belle (Michelson Science Center), D. W. Hoard, S. Wachter (Spitzer Science Center), S. B. Howell (WIYN/NOAO)
On 2004 June 16, a previously unknown star in Hercules went into outburst (IAUC #8363). Preliminary optical spectra from 0.37 - 0.75 um and 0.7 - 0.9 um, taken after the outburst was reported, indicate that the outbursting star is a cataclysmic variable of the WZ Sge dwarf novae type. As WZ Sge-type dwarf novae rarely outburst (timescales of decades), we have taken advantage of this unique opportunity and have observed the outburst with the Spitzer Space Telescope via time allocated by the Spitzer Director's Discretionary Time program. We present MIPS observations of this outbursting CV, and explore the question of whether dust is formed in the ejecta of the outburst
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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 36 5
© 2004. The American Astronomical Society.