ISO PHOT and SWS spectra of classical novae in outburst

We review the rationale for making photometric and spectroscopic observations of classical novae using ISO. Special emphasis is placed upon the "coronal" phase in ONeMg ("neon") novae when the ejecta are strongly cooled by near-and mid-IR radiation from forbidden line radiation. ISO SWS spectra of this phase can be used to determine abundances of CNO, Ne, Mg, Al, and Si. They also provide velocity information that can be used to reconstruct the dynamics of the ejecta. ISO-PHOT photometry from 5 to 200 mu m can, in principle, be used to test for the presence of persistent forbidden line and dust emission long after the outburst. We present preliminary analysis of SWS spectra of nova Cru 1996. A preliminary analysis of PHT observations of LV Vul, V528 Aql, and V1378 Aql will be presented. Serious calibration problems must be overcome before the PHT data can be interpreted scientifically.