2000A&A...354.1071C -
Astronomy and Astrophysics, volume 354, 1071-1085 (2000/2-3)
A hydrodynamical study of multiple-shell planetaries. I. NGC 2438.
CORRADI R.L.M., SCHOENBERNER D., STEFFEN M. and PERINOTTO M.
Abstract (from CDS):
We obtained deep imaging and high-resolution spectroscopy of the planetary nebula
NGC 2438. In addition to the bright inner rim and the faint halo-like shell already known from previous imagery, our observations also highlight the existence of an even fainter large halo of nearly spherical shape. Analysis of the surface-brightness profiles and the line splitting indicates a clear ionization stratification within the bright rim, with the flow velocities increasing with distance from the central star, reaching 37km/s. We compared the surface-brightness profiles and kinematical data of
NGC 2438 with state-of-the-art radiation-hydrodynamics models, and obtained a surprisingly good qualitative agreement. By means of this modelling we show that the faint, halo-like shell has formed by recombination from a once well-developed photoionized shell in response to a fast luminosity drop of the central star. The large, very faint halo is interpreted as being the relic of the now fully ionized AGB wind. Also the velocity/ionization stratification and the thickness of the bright rim are fully consistent with the prediction of the models for such an evolved planetary nebula. The properties of
NGC 2438 can be explained by assuming that the planetary nebula formation started about 45000 years after a thermal pulse on the AGB, and that the remnant star continued to burn hydrogen in a shell until burning has stopped quite recently.
Abstract Copyright:
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Journal keyword(s):
ISM: planetary nebulae: individual: NGC 2438 - ISM: kinematics and dynamics - hydrodynamics
Simbad objects:
3
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