A unique Galactic planetary nebula with a [WN] central star |
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| Authors: | D H Morgan Q A Parker Martin Cohen |
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| Institution: | Institute for Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Royal Observatory, Blackford Hill, Edinburgh EH9 3HJ;Department of Physics, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia;Anglo-Australian Observatory, PO Box 296, Epping, NSW 1710, Australia;Radio Astronomy Laboratory, 601 Campbell Hall, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA |
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| Abstract: | We report the discovery of the first probable Galactic WN] central star of a planetary nebula (CSPN). The planetary nebula candidate was found during our systematic scans of the AAO/UKST Hα Survey of the Milky Way. Subsequent confirmatory spectroscopy of the nebula and central star reveals the remarkable nature of this object. The nebular spectrum shows emission lines with large expansion velocities exceeding 150 km s?1, suggesting that perhaps the object is not a conventional planetary nebula. The central star itself is very red and is identified as being of the WN] class, which makes it unique in the Galaxy. A large body of supplementary observational data supports the hypothesis that this object is indeed a planetary nebula and not a Population I Wolf–Rayet star with a ring nebula. |
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| Keywords: | stars: individual: PM5 stars: Wolf Rayet planetary nebulae: individual: PHR 16196?4913 |
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