Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2003-11-04
Astrophys.J.599:L37-L40,2003
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
12 pages including 4 figures. ApJ Letters in press
Scientific paper
10.1086/381139
Investigation of spectra from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey reveals the presence of a region of ionized gas of >2 degrees diameter centered approximately at alpha = 10^h 37^m delta = -00^o 18' (J2000) (Galactic coordinates l=248, b=+48). [OIII] 4959,5007 emission is particularly strong and emission from H-alpha and [NII] 6548,6583 is also detectable over a substantial area on the sky. The combination of emission line ratios, the close to zero heliocentric radial velocity and the morphology of the structure are consistent with an identification as a very nearby planetary nebula. The proximity of the hot, DO white dwarf PG1034+001 further strengthens this interpretation. The object is: i) the largest planetary nebula on the sky, ii) certainly closer than any planetary nebula other than Sh 2--216, iii) the first to be unambiguously associated with a DO white dwarf. A parallax distance for PG1034+001 would establish whether the structure is in fact the closest, and one of the physically largest, planetary nebula known.
Foltz Craig B.
Hewett Paul C.
Irwin Michael J.
Skillman Evan D.
Walton Nicholas A.
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