Morphology of the planetary nebula NGC 3242

Thesis/Dissertation · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:6100427

Olson, R W

The study of planetary nebulae is useful in determining a methodology by which stars can return material to the interstellar medium. Double-shell planetary nebulae present a unique problem in which material appears to have been injected at two different epochs in the stars' history. Through the study of these shells, insights can be gained into the energetics and structure of the nebulae. This in turn leads to a better understanding of not only how material is returned to the interstellar medium, but also to the formation processes of the planetary nebulae themselves. In this investigation, observations of the Balmer decrement were used to obtain information about the internal structure on the double-shell planetary nebular NGC 3242. Data were collected using the CCD direct imaging system at Kitt Peak National Observatory with interference filters for the principal three Balmer lines. This information was processed to obtain high resolution images of the Balmer-line ratios and subsequently calibrated using scanning spectrophotometer data obtained at Blue Mesa Observatory. It is know n that variations in the Balmer decrement are associated with reddening, self-absorption, and changes in excitation mechanisms.

• Research Organization: New Mexico State Univ., Las Cruces (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6100427
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640102* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BALMER LINES
COSMIC DUST
DUSTS
INTERSTELLAR SPACE
MORPHOLOGY
NEBULAE
ORIGIN
PLANETARY NEBULAE
SPACE