Early spectral evolution of Nova Sgr 2004 (V5114 Sgr)

Aims. We present optical and near-infrared spectral evolution of the Galactic nova V5114 Sgr (2004) during few months after the outburst. Methods. We use multi-band photometry and line intensities derived from spectroscopy to put constrains on the distance and the physical conditions of the ejecta of V5114 Sgr. Results. The nova showed a fast decline (t(2) similar or equal to 11 days) and spectral features of Fe II spectroscopic class. It reached M-V = -8.7 +/- 0.2 mag at maximum light, from which we derive a distance of 7700 +/- 700 kpc and a distance from the galactic plane of about 800 pc. Hydrogen and oxygen mass of the ejecta are measured from emission lines, leading to similar to 10(-6) and 10(-7) M-circle dot, respectively. We compute the filling factor of the ejecta to be in the range 0.1-10(-3). We found the value of the filling factor to decrease with time. The same is also observed in other novae, then giving support to the idea that nova shells are not homogeneously filled in, rather being the material clumped in relatively higher density blobs less affected by the general expanding motion of the ejecta.