Iron condensation and the formation of planetary nebulae

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (9) References (41) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Iron condensation and the formation of planetary nebulae. Scalo, J. M. ; Shields, G. A. Abstract The observed degree of iron depletion in planetary nebulae (PN) is used as a constraint on PN formation in an attempt to distinguish between an 'ejection' model and a 'wind' model. In the ejection model the entire shell is ejected in a single event; the wind model envisions PN formation as resulting from a relatively steady phase of rapid mass loss over an extended period. Proposed explanations for the existence of dust in PN are reviewed, and the condensation of iron in PN is considered, along with processes that may account for the observed small fraction of iron that remains in the gas. The results indicate that condensation of refractory elements in PN is to be expected in either model and that only grain-grain collisions leading to shattering and partial vaporization can successfully explain the gas-phase iron abundances. This process is shown to be effective only in the wind model. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: March 1979 DOI: 10.1086/156874 Bibcode: 1979ApJ...228..521S Keywords: Cosmic Dust; Iron; Planetary Nebulae; Stellar Evolution; Abundance; Collision Parameters; Condensation; Drift Rate; Stellar Models; Vaporizing; Astrophysics; Planetary Nebulae:Formation; Planetary Nebulae:Models full text sources ADS | data products SIMBAD (4)