Early results from ChanPLaNS: Mystery of hard X-ray emitting CSPNe

Rodolfo Montez, J. H. Kastner, B. Balick*, E. Behar, E. Blackman, V. Bujarrabal, Y. H. Chu, R. Corradi, O. De Marco, A. Frank, D. Frew, M. Guerrero, S. Kwok, J. A. Lopez, B. Miszalski, J. Nordhaus, Q. Parker, R. Sahai, C. Sandin, D. SchoenbernerN. Soker, J. Sokoloski, W. Steffen, T. Ueta, E. Villaver, A. Zijlstra

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference proceeding contribution

    Abstract

    We are presently using the Chandra X-ray Observatory to conduct the first systematic X-ray survey of planetary nebulae (PNe) in the solar neighborhood. The Chandra Planetary Nebula Survey (ChanPlaNS) is a 570 ks Chandra Cycle 12 Large Program targeting 21 high-excitation PNe within ∼1.5 kpc of Earth. When complete, this survey will provide a suite of new X-ray diagnostics that will inform the study of late stellar evolution, binary star astrophysics, and wind interactions. Among the early results of ChanPlaNS (when combined with archival Chandra data) is a surprisingly high detection rate of relatively hard X-ray emission from CSPNe. Specifically, X-ray point sources are clearly detected in roughly half of the ∼30 high-excitation PNe observed thus far by Chandra, and all but one of these X-ray-emitting CSPNe display evidence for a hard (few MK) component in their Chandra spectra. Only the central star of the Dumbbell appears to display "pure" hot blackbody emission from a ∼200 kK hot white dwarf photosphere in the X-ray band. Potential explanations for the"excess" hard X-ray emission detected from the other CSPNe include late-type companions (heretofore undetected, in most cases) whose coronae have been rejuvenated by recent interactions with the mass-losing WD progenitor, non-LTE effects in hot white dwarf photospheres, self-shocking variable winds from the central star, and slow (re-)accretion of previously ejected red giant envelope mass.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationPlanetary Nebulae
    Subtitle of host publicationAn Eye to the Future
    EditorsArturo Manchado, Letizia Stanghellini, Detlef Schönberner
    Place of PublicationCambridge, UK
    PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP)
    Pages450-451
    Number of pages2
    ISBN (Print)9781107019836
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Jul 2011

    Publication series

    NameProceedings of the International Astronomical Union
    PublisherCambridge University Press
    NumberS283
    Volume7
    ISSN (Print)1743-9213
    ISSN (Electronic)1743-9221

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