Detected from the radio to the γ-ray bands, AE Aquarii is an extraordinary cataclysmic variable. It is a relatively bright (V ∼11.4), non-eclipsing binary with an orbital period of 9h.9. The mass-donor secondary star is of approximate spectral type K5V and contributes about ∼ 80% of the total flux in the optical. While the mass ratio is well determined at q = M2/M1 = 0.646, the individual stellar masses are poorly known since the inclination is unknown. AE Aqr’s flickering behavior is unique among CVs, alternating from periods of very violent activity to near total quiescence. Large amplitude flares have been detected in the radio, optical and UV. Previous work has shown the optical flare spectrum to be similar to stellar flare spectra.

Four nights of exactly simultaneous Hα spectroscopy and photometry were obtained on the 2.5 and 1.5m telescopes at Mt. Wilson on 27-30 July 1982. The simultaneity allowed us to renomalize the spectroscopy to agree with the photometry, giving us spectrophotometric data (spectral resolution ∼ 50 km s−, time resolution ∼ 68). A total of ∼ 17h of data were obtained, resulting in 10,098 spectra.