The peculiar variable V838 Monocerotis

Spectroscopic observations of the peculiar variable V838 Mon during the period from the second light outburst until the fast dimming are presented. We describe high resolution (R approximate to 60 000) high S/N spectra obtained a day before the second light maximum and low resolution (R approximate to 6000) spectra covering the whole period. The temporal run of intensities and radial velocities of various lines is presented. Using Na I D IS lines we determine the reddening distance of V838 Mon d > 3.1 kpc, and kinematic distance d > 4 kpc. We estimate that V838 Mon is slightly metal deficient but otherwise has a quite solar-like chemical composition except for enhanced abundances of Li, Ba and La.