Binary Central Stars Research Articles

Two’s company, three’s a crowd: SALT reveals the likely triple nature of the nucleus of the extreme abundance discrepancy factor planetary nebula Sp 3

Abstract The substantial number of binary central stars of planetary nebulae (CSPNe) now known ( $\sim 50$ ) has revealed a strong connection between binarity and some morphological features including jets and low-ionisation structures. However, some morphological features and asymmetries might be too complex or subtle to ascribe to binary interactions alone. In these cases, a tertiary component, that is, a triple nucleus, could be the missing ingredient required to produce these features. The only proven triple, NGC 246, is alone insufficient to investigate the shaping role of triple nuclei, but one straightforward way to identify more triples is to search for binaries in nuclei with known visual companions. Here we demonstrate this approach with the SALT HRS (High Resolution Spectrograph on the Southern African Large Telescope) discovery of a 4.81-d orbital period in the CSPN of Sp 3 which has a visual companion 0.31 arcsec away. The spectroscopic distance of the visual companion is in agreement with distance estimates to the nebula, the Gaia DR2 parallax of the central star, and the gravity distance of the central star. This supports a physical association between the visual companion and the inner 4.81 d binary, making the nucleus of Sp 3 a likely triple. We determine $T_\mathrm{eff}=68^{+12}_{-6}\ \text{kK},\ \log g=4.6\pm0.2\ \text{cm s}^{-2}$ , and $v_\mathrm{rot}=80\pm20\ \text{km s}^{-1}$ for the primary from non-local thermodynamic equilibrium model atmosphere analysis. The peculiar nebula presents an apparent bipolar morphology, jets, and an unexpected ‘extreme’ oxygen abundance discrepancy factor (adf) of $24.6^{+4.1}_{-3.4}$ . The adf is inconsistent with the purported trend for longer orbital period post-common-envelope (CE) PNe to exhibit normal adfs, further highlighting the dominant influence of selection effects in post-CE PNe. Lastly, the Type I nebular abundances of Sp 3, whose origin is often attributed to more massive progenitors, are incongruous with the likely Galactic Thick Disk membership of Sp 3, possibly suggesting that rotation and binarity may play an important role in influencing the AGB nucleosynthesis of PNe.

On the post-common-envelope central star of the planetary nebula NGC 2346

The common-envelope phase is one of the most poorly understood phases of (binary) stellar evolution, in spite of its importance in the formation of a wide-range of astrophysical phenomena ranging from cataclysmic variables to cosmologically important supernova type Ia, and even recently discovered gravitational wave producing black hole mergers. The central star of the planetary nebula NGC~2346 has long been held as one of the longest period post-common-envelope systems known with a published period of approximately 16 days, however the data presented were also consistent with much shorter periods of around 1 day (a more typical period among the known sample of post-common-envelope binary central stars). Here, using the modern high-stability, high-resolution spectrograph HERMES, we conclusively show the period to, indeed, be 16 days while also revising the surface gravity to a value typical of a sub-giant (rather than main-sequence) resulting in an intrinsic luminosity consistent with the recently published GAIA parallax distance. Intriguingly, the implied mass for the secondary ($\gtrsim$3.5 M$_\odot$) makes it, to our knowledge, the most massive post-common-envelope secondary known, whilst also indicating that the primary may be a post-RGB star.

When nature tries to trick us

Bipolar planetary nebulae (PNe) are thought to result from binary star interactions and, indeed, tens of binary central stars of PNe have been found, in particular using photometric time-series that allow for the detection of post-common envelope systems. Using photometry at the NTT in La Silla we have studied the bright object close to the centre of PN M 3-2 and found it to be an eclipsing binary with an orbital period of 1.88 days. However, the components of the binary appear to be two A or F stars, of almost equal mass, and are therefore too cold to be the source of ionisation of the nebula. Using deep images of the central star obtained in good seeing conditions, we confirm a previous result that the central star is more likely much fainter, located 2″ away from the bright star. The eclipsing binary is thus a chance alignment on top of the planetary nebula. We also studied the nebular abundance and confirm it to be a Type I PN.

Physical properties of the fullerene C60-containing planetary nebula SaSt2-3★

We perform a detailed analysis of the fullerene C60-containing planetary nebula (PN) SaSt2-3 to investigate the physical properties of the central star (B0-1II) and nebula based on our own Subaru/HDS spectra and multiwavelength archival data. By assessing the stellar absorption, we derive the effective temperature, surface gravity, and photospheric abundances. For the first time, we report time variability of the central star's radial velocity, strongly indicating a binary central star. Comparison between the derived elemental abundances and those predicted values by asymptotic giant branch (AGB) star nucleosynthesis models indicates that the progenitor is a star with initial mass of ~1.25 Msun and metallicity Z = 0.001/alpha-element/Cl-rich ([alpha,Cl/Fe] ~ +0.3-0.4). We determine the distance (11.33 kpc) to be consistent with the post-AGB evolution of 1.25 Msun initial mass stars with Z = 0.001. Using the photoionisation model, we fully reproduce the derived quantities by adopting a cylindrically shaped nebula. We derive the mass fraction of the C-atoms present in atomic gas, graphite grain, and C60. The highest mass fraction of C60 (~0.19%) indicates that SaSt2-3 is the C60-richest PN amongst Galactic PNe. From comparison of stellar/nebular properties with other C60 PNe, we conclude that the C60 formation depends on the central star's properties and its surrounding environment (e.g., binary disc), rather than the amount of C-atoms produced during the AGB phase.

SPHERE view of Wolf-Rayet 104

Context. WR104 is an emblematic dusty Wolf-Rayet star and the prototypical member of a sub-group hosting spirals that are mainly observable with high-angular resolution techniques. Previous aperture masking observations showed that WR104 is likely to be an interacting binary star at the end of its life. However, several aspects of the system are still unknown. This includes the opening angle of the spiral, the dust formation locus, and the link between the central binary star and a candidate companion star detected with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) at 1′′. Aims. Our aim was to directly image the dusty spiral or “pinwheel” structure around WR104 for the first time and determine its physical properties at large spatial scales. We also wanted to address the characteristics of the candidate companion detected by the HST. Methods. For this purpose, we used SPHERE and VISIR at the Very Large Telescope to image the system in the near- and mid-infrared, respectively. Both instruments furnished an excellent view of the system at the highest angular resolution a single, ground-based telescope can provide. Based on these direct images, we then used analytical and radiative transfer models to determine several physical properties of the system. Results. Employing a different technique than previously used, our new images have allowed us to confirm the presence of the dust pinwheel around the central star. We have also detected up to five revolutions of the spiral pattern of WR104 in the K band for the first time. The circumstellar dust extends up to 2 arcsec from the central binary star in the N band, corresponding to the past 20 yr of mass loss. Moreover, we found no clear evidence of a shadow of the first spiral coil onto the subsequent ones, which likely points to a dusty environment less massive than inferred in previous studies. We have also confirmed that the stellar candidate companion previously detected by the HST is gravitationally bound to WR104 and herein provide information about its nature and orbital elements.

Rapidly evolving episodic outflow in IRAS 18113−2503: clues to the ejection mechanism of the fastest water fountain

ABSTRACT Water fountains are evolved stars showing early stages of collimated mass-loss during transition from the asymptotic giant branch, providing valuable insight into the formation of asymmetric planetary nebulae. We report the results of multi-epoch VLBI observations, which determine the spatial and three-dimensional kinematic structure of H2O masers associated with the water fountain IRAS 18113−2503. The masers trace three pairs of high-velocity (∼150–300 km s−1) bipolar bow shocks on a scale of 0${^{\prime\prime}_{.}}$18 (∼2000 au). The expansion velocities of the bow shocks exhibit an exponential decrease as a function of distance from the central star, which can be explained by an episodic, jet-driven outflow decelerating due to drag forces in a circumstellar envelope. Using our model, we estimate an initial ejection velocity ∼840 km s−1, a period for the ejections ∼10 yr, with the youngest being ∼12 yr old, and an average envelope density within the H2O maser region $n_{\text{H}_2}{\approx }10^{6}$ cm−3. We hypothesize that IRAS 18113−2503 hosts a binary central star with a separation of ∼10 au, revealing novel clues about the launching mechanisms of high-velocity collimated outflows in water fountains.

Surveying Planetary Nebulae Central Stars for Close Binaries: Constraining Evolution of Central Stars Based on Binary Parameters

The increase in discovered close binary central stars of planetary nebulae is leading to a sufficiently large sample to begin to make broader conclusions about the effect of close binary stars on common envelope evolution and planetary nebula formation. Herein I review some of the recent results and conclusions specifically relating close binary central stars to nebular shaping, common envelope evolution off the red giant branch, and the total binary fraction and double degenerate fraction of central stars. Finally, I use parameters of known binary central stars to explore the relationship between the proto-planetary nebula and planetary nebula stages, demonstrating that the known proto-planetary nebulae are not the precursors of planetary nebulae with close binary central stars.

S-process Elements in Binary Central Stars of Planetary Nebulae

AbstractLow- and intermediate-mass stars experience a phase of carbon enrichment and slow neutron-capture nucleosynthesis (s-process) on the asymptotic giant branch. An interesting element is the radioactive technetium, whose presence is a clear indication that nucleosynthesis happened recently. Analysing the element abundances not only in the hot evolved stars at the center of planetary nebulae helps to derive constraints for the evolution of these stars. Doing so also in their companions if they are in a binary, provides information on the mass-transfer history.

Confirmation of the link between central star binarity and extreme abundance discrepancy factors in planetary nebulae

It has recently been noted that there seems to be a strong correlation between planetary nebulae with close binary central stars, and highly enhanced recombination line abundances. We present new deep spectra of seven objects known to have close binary central stars, and find that the heavy element abundances derived from recombination lines exceed those from collisionally excited lines by factors of 5-95, placing several of these nebulae among the most extreme known abundance discrepancies. This study nearly doubles the number of nebulae known to have a binary central star and an extreme abundance discrepancy. A statistical analysis of all nebulae with measured recombination line abundances reveals no link between central star surface chemistry and nebular abundance discrepancy, but a clear link between binarity and the abundance discrepancy, as well as an anticorrelation between abundance discrepancies and nebular electron densities: all nebulae with a binary central star with a period of less than 1.15 days have an abundance discrepancy factor exceeding 10, and an electron density less than $\sim$1000 cm$^{-3}$; those with longer period binaries have abundance discrepancy factors less than 10 and much higher electron densities. We find that [O~{\sc ii}] density diagnostic lines can be strongly enhanced by recombination excitation, while [S~{\sc ii}] lines are not. These findings give weight to the idea that extreme abundance discrepancies are caused by a nova-like eruption from the central star system, occurring soon after the common-envelope phase, which ejects material depleted in hydrogen, and enhanced in CNONe but not in third-row elements.

A new look inside planetary nebula LoTr 5: a long-period binary with hints of a possible third component

LoTr 5 is a planetary nebula with an unusual long-period binary central star. As far as we know, the pair consists of a rapidly rotating G-type star and a hot star, which is responsible for the ionization of the nebula. The rotation period of the G-type star is 5.95 d and the orbital period of the binary is now known to be ∼2700 d, one of the longest in central star of planetary nebulae. The spectrum of the G central star shows a complex H α double-peaked profile which varies with very short time-scales, also reported in other central stars of planetary nebulae and whose origin is still unknown. We present new radial velocity observations of the central star which allow us to confirm the orbital period for the long-period binary and discuss the possibility of a third component in the system at ∼129 d to the G star. This is complemented with the analysis of archival light curves from Super Wide Angle Search for Planets, All Sky Automated Survey, and Optical Monitoring Camera. From the spectral fitting of the G-type star, we obtain an effective temperature of Teff = 5410 ± 250 K and surface gravity of log g = 2.7 ± 0.5, consistent with both giant and subgiant stars. We also present a detailed analysis of the H α double-peaked profile and conclude that it does not present correlation with the rotation period and that the presence of an accretion disc via Roche lobe overflow is unlikely.

SALT HRS Discovery of the Binary Nucleus of the Etched Hourglass Nebula MyCn 18

AbstractThe shaping of various morphological features of planetary nebulae is increasingly linked to the role of binary central stars. Identifying a binary within a planetary nebula offers a powerful tool with which to directly investigate the formation mechanisms behind these features. The Etched Hourglass Nebula, MyCn 18, is the archetype for several binary-linked morphological features, yet it has no identified binary nucleus. It has the fastest jets seen in a planetary nebula of 630 km s−1, a central star position offset from the nebula centre, and a bipolar nebula with a very narrow waist. Here we report on the Southern African Large Telescope High Resolution Spectrograph detection of radial velocity variability in the nucleus of MyCn 18 with an orbital period of 18.15 ± 0.04 d and a semi-amplitude of 11.0 ± 0.3 km s−1. Adopting an orbital inclination of 38 ± 5° and a primary mass of 0.6 ± 0.1 M⊙ yields a secondary mass of 0.19 ± 0.05 M⊙ corresponding to an M5V companion. The detached nature of the binary rules out a classical nova as the origin of the jets and the offset central star as hypothesised in the literature. Furthermore, scenarios that produce the offset central star during the AGB and that form narrow waist bipolar nebulae result in orbital separations 80–800 times larger than observed in MyCn 18. The inner hourglass and jets may have formed from part of the common envelope ejecta that remained bound to the binary system in a circumbinary disk, whereas the offset central star position may best be explained by proper motion. Detailed simulations of MyCn 18 are encouraged that are compatible with the binary nucleus to further investigate its complex formation history.

Poster Presentations

49 posters were displayed at IAU S339. The display space was adequate to allow all to be on show throughout the conference.Poster presenters were given the option of condensing the message(s) of their posters into written summaries and/or depositing a pdf of the original poster for inclusion in the on-line version of the Proceedings. Half of the poster authors responded; 12 chose to send written summaries, 9 submitted just their original pdfs, and 4 elected to send both. Workshop 1 also converted some catalogue material into an on-line poster. This Section contains the contributions that were submitted as written summaries, arranged in alphabetical order of lead author.Near-Infrared Observations of OGLE Classical and Type II Cepheid Variables in the LMC ………. 283A. Bhardwaj, L. M. Macri, S. M. Kanbur, C-C. Ngeow and H. P. SinghMultiwavelength Light-Curve Analysis of Cepheid Variables ………. 287A. Bhardwaj, S. M. Kanbur, M. Marconi, H. P. Singh, M. Rejkuba and C-C. NgeowSymbiotic Stars in the Local Group of Galaxies: POINT-AGAPE Catalogue Revisited ………. 291K. Drozd, J. Mikołajewska, M. Darnley, K. Iłkiewicz, N. Caldwell and M. SharaDetection of Sectoral Modes in the Eclipsing Binary KIC 4851217………. 295M. Fedurco, Š. Parimucha & P. GajdošKepler-410Ab and Transit Timing Variations ………. 299P. Gajdoš, Š. Parimucha and M. FedurcoSparse Spatio-Temporal Imaging of Radio Transients ………. 303J. Girard, M. Jiang, J-L. Starck and S. CorbelTesting the SALT High-Resolution Spectrograph for Pulsation Studies of roAp Stars ………. 307D. Holdsworth and D. KurtzProbing Convective Mixing in Stellar Interiors with α Centauri A and B………. 308M. Joyce and B. ChaboyerHighly Luminous SNe Associated with GRBs………. 309D. KannSearching for Pulsating Stars Using Clustering Algorithms………. 310R. Kgoadi, I. B. Whittingham and C. A. EngelbrechtPhase-resolved Spectroscopy and Photometry of the Eclipsing Polar UZ Fornacis 314Z. N. Khangale, S. B. Potter and P. A. WoudtMeteor Sky in Time-Domain Astronomy………. 318S. V. KolomiyetsFirst Results from Project SUNBIRD: Supernovæ UNmasked By Infra-Red Detection………. 322E. C. Kool, S. D. Ryder, E. Kankare, T. Reynolds, S. Mattila, M. Pérez-Torres and R. McDermidThe X-Ray Spectrum of the X-Ray Binary 4U 1728-34, observed with Suzaku ………. 323Y. Lei, H. Zhang, H. Yuan and Y. ZhangStatistical Research into Correlation between Solar Filaments and Flare Activities………. 327G. LinA CoRoT view of the ζ Aur binary HR 6902………. 329C. Maceroni, J. Montalbán, R. Da Silva, T. Semaan, B. Mosser, M. Rainer, E. Poretti and E. GriffinSearching for Long-Period Binary Central Stars of Planetary Nebulæ with SALT HRS………. 330B. Miszalski, R. Manick, J. Mikołajewska, K. Iłkiewicz, D. Kamath and H. Van WinckelCompanion(s) of the Eclipsing Binary KIC 3832716………. 331Š. Parimucha, M. Fedurco and P. GajdošEvaluating the Fraction of Obscured Supernovæ in Luminous Infrared Galaxies with Adaptive Optics Surveys………. 335T. Reynolds, S. Mattila, E. Kool, E. Kankare, S. Ryder and M. A. Pérez-TorresDetecting AGB stars in LG Dwarf Galaxies for Understanding Galaxy Formation and Evolution………. 336E. Saremi, A. Javadi, J. van Loon, H. Khosroshahi and M. TorkiAccurate Photometry with Digitized Photographic Plates of the Moscow Collection………. 340K. V. Sokolovsky D. M. Kolesnikova, N. N. Samus, S. V. Antipin and A.A. BelinskiThe All-Sky Automated Search for Supernovæ Going Global………. 344M. Stritzinger and the ASAS-SN TeamStellar Parameterisation using KPCA and SVM………. 345H. Yuan, Y. Zhang, Y., Yiqiao Dong, Z. Bai, G. Li, W. Zhang, H. Zhang and Y. ZhaoΔa Photometric Survey of the Small Magellanic Cloud………. 349M. Zejda, E. Paunzen and Z. MikulášekDesign, Build and Test of the VOEvent Network for the SVOM Chinese Ground Segment………. 353M. Zhang, M. Huang and C. Wu

Searching for Long-Period Binary Central Stars of Planetary Nebulae with SALT HRS

AbstractIn the last decade great strides have been made in understanding the role of binary stars in the evolution and shaping of planetary nebulæ (PNe). Observational efforts have mainly focused on finding close binaries with orbital periods of 1 day or less. Those close binary systems make up around 1 in 5 PNe, and constitute the youngest accessible window into the aftermath of the critical and unobserved common-envelope (CE) phase of binary-star evolution. The poster focused on our recent work with the High Resolution Spectrograph (HRS) on the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) to search for long-period binaries in PNe. Considerably less is known about such long-period binaries with orbital periods of weeks to years, but they may be fundamental to improving CE population synthesis models and for determining the total binary fraction of PNe. The queue-mode operation of SALT and the excellent sensitivity and stability of HRS (which is enclosed in a vacuum tank) are ideally suited to detecting binaries with low radial-velocity amplitudes over the expected timescales of weeks to years. Many exciting new discoveries about binaries have already been made in this newly-accessible southern horizon in time-domain astronomy thanks to the many unique advantages of SALT.

SALT HRS discovery of a long-period double-degenerate binary in the planetary nebula NGC 1360

Whether planetary nebulae (PNe) are predominantly the product of binary stellar evolution as some population synthesis models (PSM) suggest remains an open question. Around 50 short period binary central stars ($P\sim1$ d) are known, but with only four with measured orbital periods over 10 d, our knowledge is severely incomplete. Here we report on the first discovery from a systematic SALT HRS survey for long period binary central stars. We find a 142 d orbital period from radial velocities of the central star of NGC~1360, HIP~16566. NGC~1360 appears to be the product of common-envelope (CE) evolution, with nebula features similar to post-CE PNe, albeit with an orbital period considerably longer than expected to be typical of post-CE PSM. The most striking feature is a newly-identified ring of candidate low-ionisation structures (LIS). Previous spatio-kinematic modelling of the nebula gives a nebula inclination of $30\pm10$ deg, and assuming the binary nucleus is coplanar with the nebula, multi-wavelength observations best fit a more massive, evolved WD companion. A WD companion in a 142 d orbit is not the focus of many PSM, making NGC~1360 a valuable system with which to improve future PSM work. HIP~16566 is amongst many central stars in which large radial velocity variability was found by low-resolution surveys. The discovery of its binary nature may indicate long period binaries may be more common than PSM models predict.

On the dynamics of the exoplanetary system Kepler-413

This study is concerned with the stability of motion of the circumbinary exoplanet Kepler-413b. The analysis is performed within the framework of a flat restricted three-body problem. The stability diagram is plotted in the plane of initial conditions “pericentric distance—eccentricity” using mass calculations of Lyapunov exponents. According to the diagram, the Kepler-413b planet is located in a stable resonance cell, confined by the mean-motion resonances 6: 1 and 7: 1 with a central binary star, which agrees with the conclusions of Kostov et al. (2014) based on calculations of the MEGNO parameter. It is shown that the value of the critical semimajor axis acquired from the empirical formula of Holman and Wiegert (1999) almost coincides with the value obtained directly from the stability diagram; at low and moderate eccentricities of the planetary orbit, the position of the calculated boundary of the chaos zone is in close agreement with the boundary predicted by Shevchenko’s theory (2015). If the planet were in the instability zone, its characteristic Lyapunov time would be only ~1 year. In accordance with the conclusions of Kostov et al. (2014), it has been shown that the planet Kepler-413b is outside the habitability zone of the system.

The planetary nebula IC 4776 and its post-common-envelope binary central star

We present a detailed analysis of IC 4776, a planetary nebula displaying a morphology believed to be typical of central star binarity. The nebula is shown to comprise a compact hourglass-shaped central region and a pair of precessing jet-like structures. Time-resolved spectroscopy of its central star reveals periodic radial velocity variability consistent with a binary system. While the data are insufficient to accurately determine the parameters of the binary, the most likely solutions indicate that the secondary is probably a low-mass main sequence star. An empirical analysis of the chemical abundances in IC 4776 indicates that the common-envelope phase may have cut short the AGB evolution of the progenitor. Abundances calculated from recombination lines are found to be discrepant by a factor of approximately two relative to those calculated using collisionally excited lines, suggesting a possible correlation between low abundance discrepancy factors and intermediate-period post-common-envelope central stars and/or Wolf-Rayet central stars. The detection of a radial velocity variability associated with binarity in the central star of IC 4776 may be indicative of a significant population of (intermediate-period) post-common-envelope binary central stars which would be undetected by classic photometric monitoring techniques.

The long-period binary central stars of the planetary nebulae NGC 1514 and LoTr 5

The importance of long-period binaries on the formation and evolution of planetary nebulae is still rather poorly understood, in part due to the lack of central star systems known to comprise such long-period binaries. Here, we report on the latest results from the on-going Mercator-HERMES survey for variability in the central stars of planetary nebulae. We present a study of the central stars of NGC 1514, BD+30$^\circ$623, the spectrum of which shows features associated with a hot nebular progenitor as well as a possible A-type companion. Cross-correlation of high-resolution HERMES spectra against synthetic spectra shows the system to be a highly eccentric ($e\sim0.5$), double-lined binary with a period of $\sim$3300 days. Previous studies indicated that the cool component might be a Horizontal Branch star of mass $\sim$0.55 M$_\odot$ but the observed radial velocity amplitudes rule out such a low mass. Assuming the nebular symmetry axis and binary orbital plane are perpendicular, the data are more consistent with a post-main-sequence star ascending towards the Giant Branch. We also present the continued monitoring of the central star of LoTr 5, HD 112313, which has now completed one full cycle, allowing the orbital period (P$\sim$2700 days) and eccentricity ($e\sim0.3$) to be derived. To date, the orbital periods of BD+30$^\circ$623 and HD 112313 are the longest to have been measured spectroscopically in the central stars of planetary nebulae. Furthermore, these systems, along with BD+33$^\circ$2642, comprise the only spectroscopic wide-binary central stars currently known.

OBSERVATIONAL CONFIRMATION OF A LINK BETWEEN COMMON ENVELOPE BINARY INTERACTION AND PLANETARY NEBULA SHAPING

ABSTRACT A current issue in the study of planetary nebulae with close binary central stars (CSs) is the extent to which the binaries affect the shaping of the nebulae. Recent studies have begun to show a high coincidence rate between nebulae with large-scale axial or point symmetries and close binary stars. In addition, combined binary-star and spatiokinematic modeling of the nebulae have demonstrated that all of the systems studied to date appear to have their central binary axis aligned with the primary axis of the nebula. Here we add two more systems to the list, the CSs and nebulae of NGC 6337 and Sp 1. We show both systems to be low inclination, with their binary axis nearly aligned with our line of sight. Their inclinations match published values for the inclinations of their surrounding nebulae. Including these two systems with the existing sample statistically demonstrates a direct link between the central binary and the nebular morphology. In addition to the systems’ inclinations we give ranges for other orbital parameters from binary modeling, including updated orbital periods for the binary CSs of NGC 6337 and Sp 1.

Hunting for binary central stars of planetary nebulae: exploiting archival data

AbstractThe detection of new binary central stars of planetary nebulae is crucial to definitively determine the importance of binary interactions in the nebular morphology. In this context, we are working on a project that aims to increase the low number of binary central stars detected so far. For that, we are first analyzing public archival data in order to discover potential candidates of binary central stars. These candidates will be subsequently followed-up in order to confirm and characterize them. Here we present our ongoing search and some preliminary results.

The Binary Central Star of Hf 38

AbstractDespite years of effort, the impact of central star binarity on planetary nebula formation and shaping remains unclear. This is hampered by the fact that detecting central star binarity is inherently difficult, and requires very precise observations. The fraction of planetary nebulae with binary central stars therefore remains elusive. This work presents initial results of central star analysis using data from the VST Hα Survey of the Southern Galactic Plane and Bulge (VPHAS+). The true central star of PN Hf 38 has been revealed, and it exhibits a 0.465±0.334 i band magnitude excess, indicative of a M0V companion.