Morphokinematic modelling of the point-symmetric Cat’s Eye, NGC 6543: Ring-like remnants of a precessing jet

Abstract

ABSTRACT The planetary nebula known as the Cat’s Eye Nebula (NGC 6543) has a complex, point-symmetric morphology that cannot be fully explained by the current theory of planetary nebula formation, the interacting stellar winds model. In order to reveal the 3D structure of the Cat’s Eye Nebula, we created a detailed 3D morphokinematic model of this nebula using a [N ii] image from the Hubble Space Telescope and five different position–velocity diagrams using the SHAPE code. This modelling approach has revealed point-symmetric partial rings, which were likely formed by a precessing jet.