ChanPlaNS: A survey of X-ray emission from planetary nebulae with the Chandra X-ray Observatory
by
Rodolfo Montez(Rochester Institute of Technology)
→
Europe/Stockholm
FB42
FB42
Description
Known for their brilliantly glowing nebular shells, planetary nebulae also emit energetic X-ray photons. Early X-ray observations by the Chandra X-ray Observatory showcased the variety of X-ray emission associated with planetary nebulae and their central stars. But the characteristics of the X-ray emission detected did not match with theory. X-ray emitting hot bubbles that fill planetary nebula were cooler than predicted and X-ray emission from the central stars were harder than expected. These mysteries motivated a volume-limited survey of planetary nebulae with Chandra, whose superb spatial resolution resolves the stellar point-like emission from the extended hot bubbles. I summarize the initial results from the first phase of our survey and discuss the trends emerging from the X-ray observations.
