The efficiency of the Bowen fluorescence mechanism in models of planetary nebulae and Seyfert galaxy nuclei has been calculated by solving the equation of transfer for He II Ly -o( and the Bowen lines using the Feautrier method. The calculated efficiencies, which do not show significant differences between planetary nebulae and Seyfert galaxies, range from about 40% to 50% for realistic models. These values are somewhat higher than recent empirical determinations of Bowen conversion in planetary nebulae. Certain discrepancies between theoretical and observed line ratios are noted, however, which make the comparison with observation ambiguous. The efficiencies are shown to be rather insensitive to changes in various parameters. It is also noted that observations do not necessarily show that the Bowen lines are systematically weaker in Seyfert galaxy nuclei than in planetary nebulae.

EGB 6 is a faint, large, ancient planetary nebula (PN). Its central star, a hot DAOZ white dwarf (WD), is a prototype of a rare class of PN nuclei associated with dense, compact emission-line knots. The central star also shows excess fluxes in both the near-infrared (NIR) and mid-infrared (MIR). In a 2013 paper, we used Hubble Space Telescope (HST) images to show that the compact nebula is a point-like source, located 0 16(similar to 118 AU) from the WD. We attributed the NIR excess to an M dwarf companion star, which appeared to coincide with the dense emission knot. We now present new ground-based NIR spectroscopy, showing that the companion is actually a much cooler source with a continuous spectrum, apparently a dust-enshrouded low-luminosity star. New HST images confirm common proper motion of the emission knot and red source with the WD. The I-band, NIR, and MIR fluxes are variable, possibly on timescales as short as days. We can fit the spectral energy distribution (SED) with four blackbodies (the WD, a similar to 1850 K NIR component, and MIR dust at 385 and 175 K). Alternatively, we show that the NIR/MIR SED is very similar to that of Class 0/I young stellar objects. We suggest a scenario in which the EGB 6 nucleus is descended from a wide binary similar to the Mira system, in which a portion of the wind from an AGB star was captured into an accretion disk around a companion star; a remnant of this disk has survived to the present time and is surrounded by gas photoionized by UV radiation from the WD.

Thesis (Ph.D)--Rochester Institute of Technology, 2009. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (p. 201-206).

Thesis (M. Sc.)--York University, 2000. Graduate Programme in Physics and Astronomy. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 119-121). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/yorku/fullcit?pMQ56161.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Chicago, Dept. of Astronomy and Astrophysics, August 1999. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

Planetary nebulae are formed from the ejecta of evolved stars. These ejecta are swept up by the fast low density wind from the hot central star, as it evolves towards a white dwarf. The sweep-up mechanism is called the Interacting Stellar Winds model (Kwok et al. 1978). The history of mass loss is imprinted on the nebular ejecta. The velocity field of the ejecta traces the mass loss event. A continuous mass loss gives a different velocity field from a brief mass loss event. We employed Integral Field Unit spectroscopy to study the velocity fields of three Bulge Planetary Nebulae. The preliminary results show the advantage of continuously sampled IFU spectroscopy over long slit spectroscopy. The kinematic of the nebula NGC 6302 was studied in the plane of the sky by com- parison of two epochs of Hubble Space Telescope images separated by 10 years. A two dimensional velocity field was created from 200 measurements. The nebular lobes are found to follow a Hubble-Flow, and were ejected in a brief event 2250 ± 35 yr ago. The ejection of lobes occurred about 700 yr after the end of AGB mass loss. The distribution of ages revealed that the inner nebula appears to be younger. This effect can be explained with additional acceleration at later stages of nebula evolution. The central star of NGC 6302 is believed to be extremely hot based on observed ionization stages in the spectrum. In this thesis the detection of the NGC 6302 central star is reported. The luminosity of the star was determined to be 4 010 L⊙. Together with age of the nebula age the mass of the star could be considerably narrowed down the mass determination of the star to 0.64 ± 0.01 M⊙.

No description available.

New detections of HNC have been made toward 11 planetary nebulae (PNe), including K4-47, K3-58, K3-17, M3-28, and M4-14. These sources, which represent a wide range of ages and morphologies, had previously been observed in HCN by Schmidt & Ziurys. Measurements of the J = 1 -> 0 and J = 3 -> 2 transitions of HNC near 90 and 271 GHz were conducted using the new 12 m and the Sub-Millimeter Telescope of the Arizona Radio Observatory. HCN and HNC were also identified via their J = 1 -> 0 lines toward eight positions across the Helix Nebula (NGC 7293). Column densities for HNC, determined from radiative transfer modeling, were N-tot(HNC) similar to (0.06-4.0) x 10(13) cm(-2), corresponding to fractional abundances with respect to H-2 of f similar to (0.02-1.4) x 10(-7). The HCN and HNC column densities across the Helix were found to be N-tot (HCN) similar to (0.2-2.4). x. 10(12) cm(-2) and Ntot (HNC) similar to (0.07-1.6). x. 1012 cm(-2), with fractional abundances of (0.2-3.2) x 10(-7) and (0.09-2.2) x 10(-7). The [ HCN]/[ HNC] ratio varied between similar to 1-8 for all PNe, with [ HCN]/[ HNC] similar to 1-4 across the Helix. These values are greatly reduced from what has been found in asymptotic giant branch stars, where the ratio is typically > 100. Both the abundance of HNC and the [ HCN]/[ HNC] ratio do not appear to vary significantly with nebular age across a time span of similar to 10,000 years, in contrast to predictions of chemical models. The increase in HNC appears to arise in the proto-planetary stage, but becomes " frozen" once the PN phase is reached.

Nebulosas planetárias são o resultado do processo de evolução estelar de estrelas com massas que vão de 0.8 a 8 massas solares; seu estudo possibilita uma melhor compreensão dos mecanismos de enriquecimento do meio interestelar por parte destas estrelas e a sua influência direta na evolução química da Galáxia. O uso da espectroscopia de campo integral possibilita o estudo da distribuição angular de propriedades como a densidade, as abundâncias iônicas, o perfil de ionização entre outras; já a espectroscopia de alta dispersão permite um estudo detalhado do campo de velocidades destes objetos, com velocidades típicas de expansão de 25km/s. Este trabalho é baseado nestas duas técnicas, com o objetivo de se obter a distribuição de diversos parâmetros físicos, apresentados aqui na forma de mapas e de diagramas, para uma amostra de nebulosas planetárias austrais. Os dados foram adquiridos utilizando a instrumentação do Observatório do Pico dos Dias (MCT/LNA), em duas missões realizadas em 2011 e 2012, usando respectivamente os espectrógrafos Eucalyptus e Coudé. Os resultados mostram a distribuição angular da densidade eletrônica, do fluxo das linhas do [SIII](6311A) e H, e também a distribuição da razão [SIII](6311A)/[SII](6717+6731A). Estes resultados salientam as regiões com maior grau de ionização, gradientes de ionização e inomogeneidades. Diagramas de diagnóstico são também mostrados a fim de complementar a análise e classificar os objetos. Os perfis cinemáticos também obtidos permitiram o estudo morfológico da amostra, detalhando suas estruturas. Os campos de velocidades foram usados para o cálculo da idade cinemática assim como a distância de uma das nebulosas da amostra. Os resultados obtidos são bons dados de entrada para futuras simulações morfo-cinemáticas que podem ser feitas utilizando softwares como o SHAPE, além de também serem possíveis simulações com códigos de fotoionização para a obtenção de modelos complementares. Os resultados em si são importantes tendo em vista a falta de informações a respeito da estrutura de planetárias austrais, já que não há nenhum grande levantamento morfológico como os existentes para as nebulosas boreais. / Planetary nebulae are the result of the stellar evolution process for stars from 0.8 to 8 solar masses; their study allows a better understanding of the enrichment mechanisms of interstellar medium by these stars, and their influence to the chemical evolution of the Galaxy. The use of integral field spectroscopy allows the study of the angular distribution of properties like density, chemical abundances and ionization profiles among others; on the other hand, high dispersion spectroscopy allows a detailed study of the velocity fields of these objects, with typical expansion velocity of 25km/s. This work is based on these two techniques; and aims to obtain the distribution of several physical parameters, presented here in the format of maps and diagrams. Data were acquired using the instrumentation from Pico dos Dias Observatory (MCT/LNA), in two missions performed in 2011 and 2012, using respectively the Eucalyptus and Coudé spectrographs. The results show the angular distribution of the electronic density, the flux of [SIII](6311A) and H alpha lines, and the distribution of the [SIII](6311A)/[SII](6717+ 6731A) ratio. These results highlight the regions with higher degree of ionization, ionization gradients and inhomogeneities. Diagnostics diagrams are shown too, aiming to complement the analysis and classify the objects. Kinematic profiles were also obtained and allowed the morphological study of the sample, detailing the structure of the objects. The velocity fields were used to calculate the kinematical age as well as the distance of one nebula of the sample. These results are a good start for future morpho-kinematic simulations. They can be used in softwares like SHAPE, and also in simulations with photoionization codes to obtain additional models. The results are also important in view of the rarity of information about structure of southern planetary nebulae, since there is no large survey such as those existing to the northern planetary nebulae.

No description available.