Expansion velocities and dynamical ages of planetary nebulae

Gezicki K.., Zijlstra A.A., 2000, A&A, 358, 1058

Abstract

The [O III] expansion velocities are presented for planetary nebulae in the Galactic Bulge and Halo, and in the Sagittarius Dwarf spheroidal galaxy. The velocities are shown to increase with the distance from the star, in agreement with hydrodynamical models. Dynamical ages are derived from these velocities and are corrected for the effects of post-AGB acceleration and non-uniform velocities. Masses for the central stars are obtained from relations between dynamical ages and stellar temperatures. The stellar core mass distribution is narrow, peaking at 0.61 solar masses. This is higher than predicted for the Bulge by initial-final mass relations, but consistent with the local white dwarf mass distribution.


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Last update: March 7, 2001