Ionization structure of planetary nebulae. V - NGC 3242

Journal Article · Mon Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1985 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/163286· OSTI ID:5799225

Barker, T

Spectrophotometric observations of emission line intensities over the spectral range 1400 A to 9600 A were made in five positions in the planetary nebula NGC 3242. In two of the positions, both the weakness of the 1548 A, 1550 A C IV resonance lines and the steepness of the Balmer decrement suggest the possibility of internal dust in the nebula. The measured electron temperature varies little from the average value of 11,100 K, which is in reasonably good agreement with the less accurate value of 12,900 K measured from the Balmer continuum. The 4267 A C II line implies a C(2+) abundance that is much higher than that determined from the 1906 A, 1908 A C III lines. This discrepancy decreases with increasing distance from the central star. Equations used to correct for the existence of elements in other than the optically-observable ionization stages give results that are consistent and in agreement with abundances calculated using ultraviolet lines. This discrepancy decreases with increasing distance from the central star. Equations used to correct for the existence of elements in other than the optically-observable ionization stages give results that are consistent and in agreement with abundances calculated using ultraviolet lines. The logarithmic abundances are He = 10.96, O = 8.64, N = 7.96, Ne = 8.04, C = 8.41, Ar = 6.15, and S = 6.51. 22 references.

• Research Organization: Wheaton College, Norton, MA
• OSTI ID: 5799225
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 294; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ABUNDANCE
ARGON
BALMER LINES
CARBON
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
COSMIC DUST
DUSTS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRON DENSITY
ELEMENTS
ERRORS
FLUIDS
GASES
HELIUM
IONIZATION
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
NEBULAE
NEON
NITROGEN
NONMETALS
OXYGEN
PLANETARY NEBULAE
RADIATIONS
RARE GASES
SPECTROPHOTOMETERS
STARS
SULFUR
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION