Physical Parameters and Abundances of Extensive Planetary Nebulae

Author(s)

Paulo Jakson Assunção Lago

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto Astronômico e Geofísico (IAG/SBD)
• Defense date: 2013-03-08

Examining board members

Roberto Dell' Aglio Dias da Costa; Ruth Bomfim Gruenwald; Hektor Sthenos Alves Monteiro

• Advisor: Roberto Dell' Aglio Dias da Costa

Abstract

Planetary nebulae are the result of the stellar evolution process for stars from 0.8 to 8 solar masses; their study allows a better understanding of the enrichment mechanisms of interstellar medium by these stars, and their influence to the chemical evolution of the Galaxy. The use of integral field spectroscopy allows the study of the angular distribution of properties like density, chemical abundances and ionization profiles among others; on the other hand, high dispersion spectroscopy allows a detailed study of the velocity fields of these objects, with typical expansion velocity of 25km/s. This work is based on these two techniques; and aims to obtain the distribution of several physical parameters, presented here in the format of maps and diagrams. Data were acquired using the instrumentation from Pico dos Dias Observatory (MCT/LNA), in two missions performed in 2011 and 2012, using respectively the Eucalyptus and Coudé spectrographs. The results show the angular distribution of the electronic density, the flux of [SIII](6311A) and H alpha lines, and the distribution of the [SIII](6311A)/[SII](6717+ 6731A) ratio. These results highlight the regions with higher degree of ionization, ionization gradients and inhomogeneities. Diagnostics diagrams are shown too, aiming to complement the analysis and classify the objects. Kinematic profiles were also obtained and allowed the morphological study of the sample, detailing the structure of the objects. The velocity fields were used to calculate the kinematical age as well as the distance of one nebula of the sample. These results are a good start for future morpho-kinematic simulations. They can be used in softwares like SHAPE, and also in simulations with photoionization codes to obtain additional models. The results are also important in view of the rarity of information about structure of southern planetary nebulae, since there is no large survey such as those existing to the northern planetary nebulae. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/01579-7 - Physical parameters and chemical abundances of extense planetary nebulae
• Grantee: Paulo Jakson Assunção Lago
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master