A search for PNe in nearby galaxies with SDSS imaging data

Alexei Y. Kniazev*, Eva K. Grebel, Daniel B. Zucker, Eric F. Bell, Hans Walter Rix, David Martínez-Delgado, Hugh C. Harris

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference proceeding contributionpeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We present the latest results from our project to search for new planetary nebulae in nearby galaxies using Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) imaging data. Our method is based on photometric criteria and can be applied to galaxies where PNe appear as point sources. We applied these criteria to the whole area of M31 as scanned by SDSS, detecting 130 new PN candidates and 30 known PNe. All selected PNe candidates are located in the outer regions of M31. For 85 candidates follow-up spectroscopy was obtained with the 2.2m telescope at Calar Alto Observatory. The observations show that our method has a detection efficiency of about 82%. We discuss the 2D velocity field of the outer part of M31 based on our observed PN data. The PNe suggest an exponential disk scale length of 13 kpc along the minor axis. We discovered two PNe along the line of sight to Andromeda NE, a very low surface brightness giant stellar structure in the outer halo of M31. These two PNe are located at projected distances of ∼48 kpc and ∼41 kpc from the center of M31 and are the most distant PNe in M31 found up to now. Our data support the idea that Andromeda NE is located at the distance of M31. No PNe associated with other M31 satellites observed by the SDSS were found. Applying our method to other SDSS regions we checked data for the Local Group galaxies Sextans, Draco, Leo I, Pegasus, Sextans B and Leo A and recovered a known PN in Leo A. We re-measured its O/H and for the first time determined abundances of N/H, S/H, He/H as well as the electron number density Ne. We argue that the PN progenitor was formed ≈1.5 Gyr ago during the strongest episode of star formation in Leo A.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationPlanetary nebulae as astronomical tools
Subtitle of host publicationinternational conference on planetary nebulae as astronomical tools
Place of PublicationMelville, NY
PublisherAmerican Institute of Physics
Pages15-19
Number of pages5
Volume804
EditionIssue 1
ISBN (Print)0735402949, 9780735402942
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 28 Nov 2005
Externally publishedYes
EventInternational Conference on Planetary Nebulae as Astronomical Tools - Gdansk, Poland
Duration: 28 Jun 20052 Jul 2005

Other

OtherInternational Conference on Planetary Nebulae as Astronomical Tools
Country/TerritoryPoland
CityGdansk
Period28/06/052/07/05

Keywords

  • Dwarf galaxies
  • Kinematics
  • Physical properties (abundances, electron density)
  • Planetary nebulae
  • Spiral galaxies (M31)

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