Abstract
We present a population synthesis calculation to derive the total number of planetary nebulae (PNe) in the Galaxy from single stars and binaries. By combining the most up-to-date literature results regarding galactic, and stellar formation and evolution, we determined the total number of PNe with radii <0.8 pc deriving from single stars and binaries to be 46 000±15 000. By using common envelope (CE) calculations and observational results of main sequence binaries, we predict that 5 000±1 600 post-CE PNe with radii <0.8 pc exist in the Galaxy today. We compare these predictions with the observationally-based estimate of 7200±1800 PNe in the Galaxy with radii <0.8 pc. This suggests that many single stars do not produce PNe and that 69±28% of PNe we observe derive from CE interactions on the Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB).
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 463-464 |
| Number of pages | 2 |
| Journal | Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union |
| Volume | 2 |
| Issue number | 234 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Apr 2006 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Binaries: close
- Galaxy: stellar content
- Planetary nebulae
- Stars: statistics