scholarly journals A Spectroscopic Study of Binary Star Planetary Nebulae

1993 ◽  
Vol 155 ◽  
pp. 390-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.R. Walsh ◽  
N.A. Walton ◽  
S.R. Pottasch

A comprehensive spectrophotometric survey of the central stars of planetary nebulae with known or suspected binary star nuclei (BSPN) is underway. The aims of this programme are: to determine the nature of the companion to the ionising star of the nebula; to estimate the spectroscopic distance from the spectral type and magnitude of the companion and thence to determine the luminosity of the hot star; to compare the morphologies and excitation/abundance characteristics of BSPN with those of PN produced by single star evolution. The advantage of the distance determined from this simple method is that it is independent of any assumptions about the planetary nebula, in contrast to most other PN distance estimators.To date 75 percent of known or suspected BSPN have been observed with the 2.5m Isaac Newton Telescope and the 1.5m ESO spectroscopic telescope at low and intermediate dispersions. A selection of preliminary results from the programme is presented, highlighting the binary central stars of NGC 246 and Abell 65.

2020 ◽  
Vol 496 (1) ◽  
pp. 959-973
Author(s):  
V M A Gómez-González ◽  
J A Toalá ◽  
M A Guerrero ◽  
H Todt ◽  
L Sabin ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT We present the analysis of the planetary nebula (PN) NGC 2371 around the [Wolf–Rayet] (WR) star WD 0722+295. Our Isaac Newton Telescope intermediate dispersion spectrograph spectra, in conjunction with archival optical and ultraviolet images, unveil in unprecedented detail the high ionization of NGC 2371. The nebula has an apparent multipolar morphology, with two pairs of lobes protruding from a barrel-like central cavity, a pair of dense low ionization knots misaligned with the symmetry axis embedded within the central cavity, and a high-excitation halo mainly detected in He ii. The abundances from the barrel-like central cavity and dense knots agree with abundance determinations for other PNe with [WR]-type central stars of PNe. We suggest that the densest knots inside NGC 2371 are the oldest structures, remnant of a dense equatorial structure, while the main nebular shell and outer lobes resulted from a latter ejection that ended the stellar evolution. The analysis of position–velocity diagrams produced from our high-quality spectra suggests that NGC 2371 has a bipolar shape with each lobe presenting a double structure protruding from a barrel-like central region. The analysis of the spectra of WD 0722+295 results in similar stellar parameters as previously reported. We corroborate that the spectral subtype corresponds with a [WO1] type.


1982 ◽  
Vol 69 ◽  
pp. 403-408
Author(s):  
Volker Weidemann

Recent results on mass distributions for white dwarfs and planetary nebulae are presented and compared with current theoretical predictions. Whereas single star evolution leads to final masses predominantely in a narrow interval around 0.6μ0 which can be explained by current mass loss schemes degenerate stars in binaries present a larger range of masses. The average mass of the primaries in cataclysmic binaries seems to be more around 0.7 than 1μ0.


2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (S283) ◽  
pp. 346-347
Author(s):  
D. Douchin ◽  
O. De Marco ◽  
D. J. Frew ◽  
G. H. Jacoby ◽  
J.-C. Passy ◽  
...  

AbstractDuring the past 20 years, the idea that non-spherical planetary nebulae might need a binary or planetary interaction to be shaped was discussed by various authors. It is now generally agreed that the varied morphologies of planetary nebulae cannot be fully explained solely by single star evolution. Observationally, more binary central stars of planetary nebulae have been discovered, opening new possibilities to understand the connections between binarity and morphology. So far, ≃45 binary central stars of planetary nebulae have been detected, most being close systems detected via flux variability. In order to determine the PN binary fraction, one needs a method that can detect wider binaries. We present here recent results concentrating on binary infrared excess observations aimed at detecting binaries of any separation.


1993 ◽  
Vol 155 ◽  
pp. 480-480
Author(s):  
C.Y. Zhang ◽  
S. Kwok

Making use of the results from recent infrared and radio surveys of planetary nebulae, we have selected 431 nebulae to form a sample where a number of distance-independent parameters (e.g., Tb, Td, I60μm and IRE) can be constructed. In addition, we also made use of other distance-independent parameters ne and T∗ where recent measurements are available. We have investigated the relationships among these parameters in the context of a coupled evolution model of the nebula and the central star. We find that most of the observed data in fact lie within the area covered by the model tracks, therefore lending strong support to the correctness of the model. Most interestingly, we find that the evolutionary tracks for nebulae with central stars of different core masses can be separated in a Tb-T∗ plane. This implies that the core masses and ages of the central stars can be determined completely independent of distance assumptions. The core masses and ages have been obtained for 302 central stars with previously determined central-star temperatures. We find that the mass distribution of the central stars strongly peaks at 0.6 M⊙, with 66% of the sample having masses <0.64 MM⊙. The luminosities of the central stars are then derived from their positions in the HR diagram according to their core masses and central star temperatures. If this method of mass (and luminosity) determination turns out to be accurate, we can bypass the extremely unreliable estimates for distances, and will be able to derive other physical properties of planetary nebulae.


1998 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 363-363
Author(s):  
Johanna Jurcsik ◽  
Benjamin Montesinos

FG Sagittae is one of the most important key objects of post-AGB stellar evolutionary studies. As a consequence of a final helium shell flash, this unique variable has shown real evolutionary changes on human time scales during this century. The observational history was reviewed in comparison with predictions from evolutionary models. The central star of the old planetary nebula (Hel-5) evolved from left to right in the HR diagram, going in just hundred years from the hot region of exciting sources of planetary nebulae to the cool red supergiant domain just before our eyes becoming a newly-born post-AGB star. The effective temperature of the star was around 50,000 K at the beginning of this century, and the last estimates in the late 1980s give 5,000-6,500 K. Recent spectroscopic observations obtained by Ingemar Lundström show definite changes in the nebular line intensities. This fact undoubtedly rules out the possibility that, instead of FG Sge, a hidden hot object would be the true central star of the nebula. Consequently, the observed evolutionary changes are connected with the evolution of a single star.


2018 ◽  
Vol 619 ◽  
pp. A84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henri M. J. Boffin ◽  
David Jones ◽  
Roger Wesson ◽  
Yuri Beletsky ◽  
Brent Miszalski ◽  
...  

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.


1982 ◽  
Vol 70 ◽  
pp. 231-251
Author(s):  
Mirek J. Plavec

AbstractSymbiotic stars have become an important testing ground of various theories of binary star evolution. Several physically different models can explain them, but in each case certain fairly restrictive conditions must be met, so if we manage to identify a definite object with a model, it will tell us a lot about the structure and evolutionary stage of the stars involved. I envisage at least three models that can give us a symbiotic object: I have called them, respectively, the PN symbiotic, the Algol symbiotic, and the novalike symbiotic. Their properties are briefly discussed. The most promising model is one of a binary system in the second stage of mass transfer, actually at the beginning of it: The cool component is a red giant ascending the asymptotic branch, expanding but not yet filling its critical lobe. The hot star is a subdwarf located in the same region of the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram as the central stars of planetary nebulae. It may be closely related to them, or it may be a helium star, actually a remnant of an Algol primary which underwent the first stage of mass transfer. In these cases, accretion on this star may not play a significant role (PN symbiotic).


2019 ◽  
Vol 624 ◽  
pp. A83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zs. Kővári ◽  
K. G. Strassmeier ◽  
K. Oláh ◽  
L. Kriskovics ◽  
K. Vida ◽  
...  

Context. On the asymptotic giant branch, low to intermediate mass stars blow away their outer envelopes, forming planetary nebulae. Dynamic interaction between the planetary nebula and its central progenitor is poorly understood. The interaction is even more complex when the central object is a binary star with a magnetically active component, as is the case for the target in this paper. Aims. We aim to quantify the stellar surface activity of the cool binary component of IN Com and aim to explain its origin. In general, we need a better understanding of how central binary stars in planetary nebulae evolve and how this evolution could develop such magnetically active stars as IN Com. Methods. We present a time series of 13 consecutive Doppler images covering six months in 2017 that we used to measure the surface differential rotation with a cross-correlation method. Hitherto unpublished high-precision photometric data from 1989 to 2017 are presented. We applied Fourier-transformation-based frequency analysis to both photometry and spectra. Very high resolution (R ≈ 200 000) spectra were used to update IN Com’s astrophysical parameters by means of spectral synthesis. Results. Our time-series Doppler images show cool and warm spots coexisting with an average surface temperature contrast of −1000 K and +300 K with respect to the effective temperature. Approximately 8% of the stellar surface is covered with cool spots and ∼3% with warm spots. A consistent cool polar spot is seen in all images. The average lifetime of the cool spots is not much more than a few stellar rotations (one month), while the warm spots appear to live longer (three months) and are mostly confined to high latitudes. We found anti-solar surface differential rotation with a shear coefficient of α = −0.026 ± 0.005 suggesting an equatorial rotation period of 5.973 ± 0.008 d. We reconfirm the 5.9 day rotation period of the cool star from photometry, radial velocities, and Hα line-profile variations. A long-term V-brightness variation with a likely period of 7.2 yr is also found. It appears in phase with the orbital radial velocity of the binary system in the sense that it is brightest at highest velocity and faintest at lowest velocity, that is, at the two phases of quadrature. We redetermine [Ba/Fe], [Y/Fe], and [Sr/Fe] ratios and confirm the overabundance of these s-process elements in the atmosphere of IN Com.


1989 ◽  
Vol 106 ◽  
pp. 232-232
Author(s):  
Noam Soker

We suggest that the shape of a young asymmetric planetary nebulae may be influenced by a close binary star located at its center. This binary is a relic of the common envelope phase, presumably through which the asymmetric planetary nebula evolved. We assume that for a short period of time, shortly after the cession of the slow wind and long before the fast wind becomes effective, the binary ejects a small amount of mass, mainly in the equatorial plane. In this work we do not discuss the exact mechanism for the ejection of this pulse of mass. In the case in which the cooling is very efficient, (i.e., high-Mach-number isothermal flow), we can solve the problem analytically by using a few simplifying assumptions. In this case the high density region is shaped like a ring. We use two-dimensional hydrodynamics for the more general case. We find that at late times the high density region has a “horseshoe” shape, as viewed in the symmetry plane. There is an instability in the maximum density region. Finally we compare our results with the shape of the planetary nebula M2-9.


1997 ◽  
Vol 180 ◽  
pp. 230-230
Author(s):  
S.K. Górny ◽  
K. Gȩsicki ◽  
A. Acker

The main aim of this work was to confirm that expansion of planetary nebulae surrounding Wolf-Rayet type central stars is characterized by turbulent motions or strong variations of velocity in the radial direction relative to the nucleus. Such properties have already been found in Ml-25, M3-15 and Pel-1 by Gesicki & Acker (1995). We have analyzed the photoionization structure and velocity field of the NGC 40 - a planetary nebula with late type ([WC 8]) Wolf-Rayet nucleus. The spectra of Hα and [NII] lines have been obtained with the 1.5m telescope at the Observatoire de Haute-Provence. The spectrograph Aurelie with dispersion of 5Å/mm and a 3″ circular entrance was used. The method and the details of the applied computer codes are published in Gesicki et al. (1996).


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