Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics – Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2010-02-08
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
25 pages, 6 figures; presentation at the workshop on the Legacies of the Macquarie/AAO/Strasbourg H-alpha Planetary Nebula pro
Scientific paper
The total number of true, likely and possible planetary nebulae (PN) now known in the Milky Way is nearly 3000, double the number known a decade ago. The new discoveries are a legacy of the recent availability of wide field, narrowband imaging surveys, primarily in the light of H-alpha. In this paper, we summarise the various PN discovery techniques, and give an overview of the many types of objects which mimic PN and which appear as contaminants in both Galactic and extragalactic samples. Much improved discrimination of classical PN from their mimics is now possible based on the wide variety of high-quality multiwavelength data sets that are now available. We offer improved taxonomic and observational definitions for the PN phenomenon based on evaluation of these better diagnostic capabilities. However, we note that evidence is increasing that the PN phenomenon is heterogeneous, and PN are likely to be formed from multiple evolutionary scenarios. In particular, the relationships between some collimated symbiotic outflows and bipolar PN remain uncertain.
Frew David J.
Parker Quentin A.
No associations
LandOfFree
Planetary Nebulae: Observational Properties, Mimics, and Diagnostics does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Planetary Nebulae: Observational Properties, Mimics, and Diagnostics, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Planetary Nebulae: Observational Properties, Mimics, and Diagnostics will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-307696