Structure Of Planetary Nebulae Research Articles

Low-ionization structures in planetary nebulae – III. The statistical analysis of physico-chemical parameters and excitation mechanisms

ABSTRACT Nearly 30 yr after the first detailed studies of low-ionization structures (LISs) in planetary nebulae (PNe), we perform a statistical analysis of their physical, chemical, and excitation properties, by collecting published data in the literature. The analysis was made through the contrast between LISs and high-ionization structures – rims or shells – for a large sample of PNe, in order to highlight significant differences between these structures. Our motivation was to find robust results based on the largest sample of LISs gathered so far. (i) Indeed, LISs have lower electron densities (Ne[S ii]) than the rims/shells. (ii) The nitrogen electron temperatures (Te[N ii]) are similar between the two groups, while a bimodal distribution is observed for the Te based on [O iii] of the rims/shells, although the high- and low-ionization structures have Te[O iii] of similar median values. (iii) No significant variations are observed in total abundances of He, N, O, Ne, Ar, Cl, and S between the two groups. (iv) Through the analysis of several diagnostic diagrams, LISs are separated from rims/shells in terms of excitation. From two large grids of photoionization and shock models, we show that there is an important overlap between both mechanisms, particularly when low-ionization line ratios are concerned. We found a good tracer of high-velocity shocks, as well as an indicator of high- and low-velocity shocks that depends on temperature-sensitive line ratios. In conclusion, both excitation mechanisms could be present; however, shocks cannot be the main source of excitation for most of the LISs of PNe.

Low-ionization structures in planetary nebulae – II. Densities, temperatures, abundances, and excitation of six PNe

ABSTRACT Here we present the spatially resolved study of six Galactic planetary nebulae (PNe), namely IC 4593, Hen 2-186, Hen 2-429, NGC 3918, NGC 6543, and NGC 6905, from intermediate-resolution spectra of the 2.5 m Isaac Newton Telescope and the 1.54 m Danish telescope. The physical conditions (electron densities, Ne, and temperatures, Te), chemical compositions and dominant excitation mechanisms for the different regions of these objects are derived, in an attempt to go deeper on the knowledge of the low-ionization structures (LISs) hosted by these PNe. We reinforce the previous conclusions that LISs are characterized by lower (or at most equal) Ne than their associated rims and shells. As for the Te, we point out a possible different trend between the N and O diagnostics. Te[N ii] does not show significant variations throughout the nebular components, whereas Te[O iii] appears to be slightly higher for LISs. The much larger uncertainties associated with the Te[O iii] of LISs do not allow robust conclusions. Moreover, the chemical abundances show no variation from one to another PN components, not even contrasting LISs with rims and shells, as also found in a number of other works. By discussing the ionization photon flux due to shocks and stellar radiation, we explore the possible mechanisms responsible for the excitation of LISs. We argue that the presence of shocks in LISs is not negligible, although there is a strong dependence on the orientation of the host PNe and LISs.

On the Origin of Morphological Structures of Planetary Nebulae

We suggest that most of the mass in planetary nebulae (PNe) resides in the equatorial region and the spherical envelope and the optically bright lobes of PNe are in fact low-density cavities cleared out by fast outflows and photoionized by UV photons leaked from the torus. The nature of multi-polar PNe is discussed under this framework.

3-D structures of planetary nebulae

Recent advances in the 3-D reconstruction of planetary nebulae are reviewed. We include not only results for 3-D reconstructions, but also the current techniques in terms of general methods and software. In order to obtain more accurate reconstructions, we suggest to extend the widely used assumption of homologous nebula expansion to map spectroscopically measured velocity to position along the line of sight.

Low-ionization structures in planetary nebulae – I. Physical, kinematic and excitation properties

Though the small-scale, low-ionization knots, filaments and jets (LISs) of planetary nebulae (PNe) are known for ~30yr, some of their observational properties are not well established. In consequence our ability to include them in the wider context of the formation and evolution of PNe is directly affected. Why most structures have lower densities than the PN shells hosting them? Is their intense emission in low-ionization lines the key to their main excitation mechanism? Therefore, if considered altogether, can LISs line ratios, chemical abundances and kinematics enlighten the interplay between the different excitation and formation processes? Here we present a spectroscopic analysis of five PNe that possess LISs confirming that all nebular components have comparable electron temperatures, whereas the electron density is systematically lower in LISs than in the surrounding nebula. Chemical abundances of LISs versus other PN components do not show significant differences as well. By using diagnostic diagrams from shock models, we demonstrate that LISs' main excitation is due to shocks, whereas the other components are mainly photo-ionized. We also propose new diagnostic diagrams involving a few emission lines ([NII], [OIII], [SII]) and $\rm{log}$(f$_{shocks}$/f$_{\star}$), where f$_{shocks}$ and f$_{\star}$ are the ionization photon fluxes due to the shocks and the central star ionizing continuum, respectively. A robust relation differentiating the structures is found, with the shock-excited clearly having $\rm{log}$(f$_{shocks}$/f$_{\star}$)$>$-1; while the photo-ionized show $\rm{log}$(f$_{shocks}$/f$_{\star}$)$<$-2. A transition zone, with -2$<\rm{log}$(f$_{shocks}$/f$_{\star}$)$<$-1 where both mechanisms are equally important, is also defined.

The physical structure of planetary nebulae around sdO stars: Abell 36, DeHt 2, and RWT 152★

We present narrow-band Halpha and [OIII] images, and high-resolution, long-slit spectra of the planetary nebulae (PNe) Abell36, DeHt2, and RWT152 aimed at studying their morphology and internal kinematics. These data are complemented with intermediate-resolution, long-slit spectra to describe the spectral properties of the central stars and nebulae. The morphokinematical analysis shows that Abell36 consists of an inner spheroid and two bright point-symmetric arcs; DeHt2 is elliptical with protruding polar regions and a bright non-equatorial ring; and RWT152 is bipolar. The formation of Abell36 and DeHt2 requires several ejection events including collimated bipolar outflows that probably are younger than and have disrupted the main shell. The nebular spectra of the three PNe show a high excitation and also suggest a possible deficiency in heavy elements in DeHt2 and RWT152. The spectra of the central stars strongly suggest an sdO nature and their association with PNe points out that they have most probably evolved through the asymptotic giant branch. We analyze general properties of the few known sdOs associated to PNe and find that most of them are relatively or very evolved PNe, show complex morphologies, host binary central stars, and are located at relatively high Galactic latitudes.

CRIRES-VLT high-resolution spectro-astrometry as a tool in the search for disks inside the cores of planetary nebulae

The onset of the asymmetry in planetary nebulae (PNe) occurs during the short transition between the end of the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) phase and the beginning of the PN phase. Sources in this transition phase are compact and emit intensely in infrared wavelengths, making high spatial resolution observations in the infrared mandatory to investigate the shaping process of PNe. Interferometric VLTI IR observations have revealed compelling evidence of disks at the cores of PNe, but the limited sensitivity, strong observational constraints, and limited spatial coverage place severe limits on the universal use of this technique. Inspired by the successful detection of proto-planetary disks using spectro-astrometric observations, we apply here for the first time this technique to search for sub-arcsecond structures in PNe. Our exploratory study using CRIRES (CRyogenic high-resolution Infra-Red Echelle Spectrograph) commissioning data of the proto-PN IRAS 17516-2525 and the young PN SwSt 1 has revealed small-sized structures after the spectro-astrometric analysis of the two sources. In IRAS 17516-2525, the spectro-astrometric signal has a size of only 12 mas, as detected in the Brackett-gamma line, whereas the structures found in SwSt 1 have sizes of 230 mas in the [Fe III] line and 130 mas in the Brackett-gamma line. The spectroscopic observations required to perform spectro-astrometry of sources in the transition towards the PN phase are less time consuming and much more sensitive than VLTI IR observations. The results presented here open a new window in the search of the small-sized collimating agents that shape the complex morphologies of extremely axisymmetric PNe.

Shaping planetary nebulae by light jets

We conduct numerical simulations of axisymmetrical jets expanding into a spherical AGB slow wind. The three-dimensional flow is simulated with an axially symmetric numerical code. We concentrate on jets that are active for a relatively short time. Our results strengthen other studies that show that jets can account for many morphological features observed in planetary nebulae (PNs). Our main results are as follows. (1) With a single jet's launching episode we can reproduce a lobe structure having a `front-lobe', i.e., a small bulge on the front of the main lobe, such as that in the PN Mz~3. (2) In some runs dense clumps are formed along the symmetry axis, such as those observed in the pre-PN M1-92. (3) The mass loss history of the slow wind has a profound influence on the PN structure. (4) A dense expanding torus (ring; disk) is formed in most of our runs. The torus is formed from the inflated lobes, and not from a separate equatorial mass loss episode. (5) The torus and lobes are formed at the same time and from the same mass loss rate episode. However, when the slow wind density is steep enough, the ratio of the distance divided by the radial velocity is larger for regions closer to the equatorial plane than for regions closer to the symmetry axis. (6) With the short jet-active phase a linear relation between distance and expansion velocity is obtained in many cases. (7) Regions at the front of the lobe are moving sufficiently fast to excite some visible emission lines.

Magnetohydrodynamic model of equatorial plasma torus in planetary nebulae

Some basic structures in planetary nebulae are modeled as self-organized magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) plasma configurations with radial flow. These configurations are described by time self-similar dynamics, where space and time dependences of each physical variable are in separable form. Axisymmetric toroidal MHD plasma configuration is solved under the gravitational field of a central star of mass $M$. With an azimuthal magnetic field, this self-similar MHD model provides an equatorial structure in the form of an axisymmetric torus with nested and closed toroidal magnetic field lines. In the absence of an azimuthal magnetic field, this formulation models the basic features of bipolar planetary nebulae. The evolution function, which accounts for the time evolution of the system, has a bounded and an unbounded evolution track governed respectively by a negative and positive energy density constant $H$.

Optically Thick Radio Cores of Narrow‐Waist Bipolar Nebulae

We report our search for optically thick radio cores in sixteen narrow-waist bipolar nebulae. Optically thick cores are a characteristic signature of collimated ionized winds. Eleven northern nebulae were observed with the Very Large Array (VLA) at 1.3 cm and 0.7 cm, and five southern nebulae were observed with the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) at 6 cm and 3.6 cm. Two northern objects, 19W32 and M 1-91, and three southern objects, He 2-25, He 2-84 and Mz 3, were found to exhibit a compact radio core with a rising spectrum consistent with an ionized jet. Such jets have been seen in M 2-9 and may be responsible for shaping bipolar structure in planetary nebulae.

Filamentary structures in planetary nebulae

We have studied small-scale, filamentary features in 14 planetary nebulae and found that some structures are recurrent and shaped like the letters V and Y, with the apex or stem pointing toward the central parts of the nebula. Two such filaments containing dust, one in NGC 3132 and one in NGC 7293, were investigated in more detail. The mass and density of the filaments were obtained from extinction measurements, and their physical properties were derived. We propose that the structures are confined by magnetic fields, and derive magnetic field strengths of about 10−8 T, in line with earlier estimates. We also estimate the magnitude of the electric currents that we expect are generated in these dynamic systems. We propose a theory where the magnetic fields control the sculpting and evolution of small-scale filaments. This theory demonstrates how the substructures may form magnetized flux ropes that are twisted around each other, in the shape of double helices. Similar structures, and with similar origin, are found in many other astrophysical environments.

The structure of planetary nebulae: theory vs. practice

This paper - the first of a short series dedicated to the long-stan ding astronomical problem of de-projecting the bi-dimensional apparent morpholog y of a three-dimensional mass of gas - focuses on the density distribution in real Planetary Nebulae (and all types of expanding nebulae). We introduce some basic theoretical notions, discuss the observational methodology and develope the accurate procedure for the determination of the matter radial profile within the sharp portion of nebula in the plane of the sky identified by the zero-velocity-pixel-column (zvpc) of high-resolution spectral images. Moreover, a series of evolutive snapshots is presented, combining illustrative examples of model- and true-Planetary Nebulae. Last, the general and specific applications of the method (and some caveats) are discussed.

Dust Extinction in Compact Planetary Nebulae

The effects of dust extinction on the departure from axi-symmetry in the morphology of planetary nebulae (PNs) are investigated through a comparison of the radio free-free emission and hydrogen recombination line images. The dust exctinction maps of five compact PNs are derived using high-resolution (~ 0.1) H-alpha and radio images maps of the HST and VLA. These extinction maps are then analyzed by an ellipsoidal shell ionization model including the effects of dust extinction to infer the nebulae's intrinsic structure and orientation in the sky. This method provides a quantitative analysis of the morphological structure of PNs and represents a step beyond qualitative classification of morphological types of PNs.

High‐Resolution Mid‐Infrared Imaging of the Asymptotic Giant Branch Star RV Bootis with the Steward Observatory Adaptive Optics System

We present high-resolution (~01), very high Strehl ratio (0.97 ± 0.03) mid-IR adaptive optics (AO) images of the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) star RV Boo utilizing the MMT adaptive secondary AO system. RV Boo was observed at a number of wavelengths over two epochs (9.8 μm in 2003 May and 8.8, 9.8, and 11.7 μm in 2004 February) and appeared slightly extended at all wavelengths. While the extension is very slight at 8.8 and 11.7 μm, the extension is somewhat more pronounced at 9.8 μm. With such high Strehl ratios, we can achieve superresolutions of 01 by deconvolving RV Boo with a point-spread function (PSF) derived from an unresolved star. We tentatively resolve RV Boo into a 016 FWHM extension at a position angle of 120°. At a distance of 390 pc, this corresponds to a FWHM of 60 AU. We measure a total flux at 9.8 μm of 145 ± 24 Jy for the disk and star. Based on a dust thermal emission model for the observed IR spectral energy distribution and the 9.8 μm AO image, we derive a disk dust mass of 1.6 × 10-6 M☉ and an inclination of 30°-45° from edge-on. We discuss whether the dust disk observed around RV Boo is an example of the early stages in the formation of asymmetric structure in planetary nebulae.

DYNAMICAL STRUCTURE OF PLANETARY NEBULAE IN THREE DIMENSIONS

The interacting of two winds model and a nonspherical density functionin three dimensions is introduced to study the dynamical structure ofplanetary nebulae. A fast wind with a mechanical energy interacts with asuper wind mass-loss rate of 2 × 10-10 M ⊙ yr and avelocity of 10 km s-1. As a result it produces a dense and luminosmedium.Taking into account the above assumptions, we introduce the code(DS3D),and numerically we calculate the following physical quantities:the shell velocity, the shell radious and thickness, and other physicalquantities throughout the entire nebula.

Low‐Ionization Structures in Planetary Nebulae: Confronting Models with Observations

Around 50 planetary nebulae (PNs) are presently known to possess small-scale low-ionization structures (LISs) located inside or outside their main nebular bodies. We consider here the different kinds of LISs (jets, jetlike systems, symmetrical and nonsymmetrical knots) and present a detailed comparison of the existing model predictions with the observational morphological and kinematical properties. We find that nebulae with LISs appear indistinctly spread among all morphological classes of PNs, indicating that the processes leading to the formation of LISs are not necessarily related to those responsible for the asphericity of the large-scale morphological components of PNs. We show that both the observed velocities and locations of most nonsymmetrical systems of LISs can be reasonably well reproduced assuming either fossil condensations originated in the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) wind or in situ instabilities. The jet models proposed to date (hydrodynamical and magnetohydrodynamical interacting winds or accretion disk collimated winds) appear unable to account simultaneously for several key characteristics of the observed high-velocity jets, such as their kinematical ages and the angle between the jet and the symmetry axes of the nebulae. The linear increase in velocity observed in several jets favors magnetohydrodynamical confinement compared to pure hydrodynamical interacting wind models. On the other hand, we find that the formation of jetlike systems characterized by relatively low expansion velocities (similar to those of the main shells of PNs) cannot be explained by any of the existing models. Finally, the knots that appear in symmetrical and opposite pairs of low velocity could be understood as the survival of fossil (symmetrical) condensations formed during the AGB phase or as structures that have experienced substantial slowing down by the ambient medium.

The Fine Structures of Planetary Nebulae

Most theoretical studies of the dynamics of planetary nebulae assume that the slow ejecta from the red-giant or asymptotic giant branch phase of evolution of the central star is distributed smoothly. We consider briefly the observational evidence for small scale structure in both neutral and ionised PNe gas, examine some of the ways it can be generated and describe some of the consequences of its presence.

Gas Dynamics in Planetary Nebulae: From Macro-structures to FLIERs

Purpose of this paper is to clarify how Planetary Nebulae (PNe) are very interesting laboratories to study cosmic gas dynamics. I first recall the history of PNe which are generated from low and intermediate mass stars through successive mass loss processes starting in the Reg Giant phase of evolution and continuing also after the termination of the pulsed AGB phase, where most of the nebular mass is believed to be ejected. The correpondings tellar winds are the ingredients of the nebula. Their initial properties and subsequent mutual interactions, under the action of the evolving stellar radiation field, are responsible for the properties of the nebula. The observed structures of PNe are considered in detail. Larger scale macroscopic structures (MACS) are examined separately from quite smaller scale microscopic structures (MICS). The formation of MACS, at least in cases of round to moderately elliptical PNe, is shown to be reasonably well understood in terms of existing hydrodynamical models. Considering the kinematical behaviour, MICS can be separated into FLIERs (Fast Low Ionization Emitting Regions) and SLOWERs (slowly moving). Attention is focussed on FLIERs and on the proposed mechanisms to interpret them. Recent observations with the Hubble Space Telescope have provided us with a wealth of detailed (subarcsec) information on the nebular structures. The inner structure of FLIERs is here illustrated to consist of substructures of various shapes with an high degree of individually from object to object, also within the same PN. These new data call for deeper thoretical efforts to solve the problems of cosmic gas dynamics, posed by their observed properties. An ample account is given of the most relevant original works, in an effort to allow the non specialist reader to quickly become acquainted with the status of art in the various aspects of the subject.

Visual Wide Binaries and the Structure of Planetary Nebulae

In recent work Ciardullo et al. listed 19 planetary nebulae surveyed by the Hubble Space Telescope for the presence of resolved visual binary companions of their central stars. For 10 planetary nebulae they argue for probable physical association of the resolved stars with the central stars, while for nine the association is less likely. Such stellar companions, at orbital separations of hundreds to thousands of astronomical units, will cause the structures of these planetary nebulae to possess a nonaxisymmetric signature. By using images from the literature of these 19 planetary nebulae, I demonstrate that the structures of the planetary nebulae are compatible in most cases with the arguments of Ciardullo et al. for association or nonassociation of the resolved stars with the planetary nebulae central stars. This shows that whether a planetary nebula departs from having purely axisymmetric structure can be used to strengthen an argument for an association or a nonassociation of a putative wide companion with the stellar progenitor of the nebula.

Multiwavelength Imaging and Long-Slit Spectroscopy of the Planetary Nebula NGC 6884: The Discovery of a Fast Precessing, Bipolar Collimated Outflow

We present Hα, [N II] λ6583, [O III] λ5007 ground-based images, Hubble Space Telescope (HST) (V band) archival images, VLA-A 3.6 cm continuum data, and high-resolution long-slit spectra of the planetary nebula NGC 6884. The VLA and HST images show an extremely knotty and filamentary nebula with an elliptical central structure also recognizable in Hα and [O III]. The [N II] image is different and is dominated by two bright arclike structures. The image ratio maps indicate a complex ionization structure within the nebula with low-excitation filaments surrounded by high-excitation regions. The spectra make it possible to distinguish three basic structural components in NGC 6884: (1) a compact (38 × 28, P.A. 32°), high-excitation ([N II] λ6583/Hα ≤ 0.15) ellipsoidal shell seen almost pole-on with polar and equatorial expansion velocities in the Hα line of 25 and 19 km s-1, respectively; (2) two point-symmetric, low-excitation ([N II]/Hα 0.6–1) spirals in which the distance to the central star and the radial velocity exhibit systematic variations; (3) two compact, apparently isolated, low-excitation bipolar knots. All data agree that the spirals represent precessing bipolar jetlike outflows. The observational properties of these precessing outflows can satisfactorily be explained with an approximately constant ejection velocity (55 km s-1) and a large precession angle (2 120°). The deduced precession period (500 × [D(kpc)/2] yr) is the shortest one measured so far in this kind of structure in planetary nebulae. The image ratio maps and the [N II]/Hα intensity ratio suggest shock excitation in the precessing jets. A general discussion of NGC 6884 is presented within the context of planetary nebulae with jetlike components.