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 language | English |
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Title of host publication | Planetary Nebulae |
Subtitle of host publication | An Eye to the Future |
Editors | Arturo Manchado, Letizia Stanghellini, Detlef Schönberner |
Place of Publication | Cambridge, UK |
Publisher | Cambridge University Press (CUP) |
Pages | 450-451 |
Number of pages | 2 |
ISBN (Print) | 9781107019836 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jul 2011 |
Publication series
Name | Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union |
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Publisher | Cambridge University Press |
Number | S283 |
Volume | 7 |
ISSN (Print) | 1743-9213 |
ISSN (Electronic) | 1743-9221 |