The masses of V838 Herculis (Nova Herculis 1991) and OZ Aurigae

We have determined H alpha radial velocity solutions for the two eclipsing novae V838 Her (Nova Her 1991) and QZ Aur, which yields mass estimates for the stellar components. The results indicate both objects have relatively massive white dwarfs greater than 0.62 solar mass for V838 Her and greater than 0.65 solar mass for QZ Aur), although these limits allow lower masses than theoretical models for fast novae predict. Even though both novae have long periods (7.14 hr and 8.58 hr), there is no visible evidence of the secondary star in the spectrum. The large extent and brightness of the accretion disk, as deduced from the light curves, make the disk the dominant source of light.