The Large Magellanic Cloud PN population

Warren A. Reid

Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference PaperConference Paperpeer-review

Abstract

![CDATA[The Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) and Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) allow us to study late stellar evolution in environments that are respectively about a half and a quarter the metallicity of the Milky Way. With a known distance and low reddening, the LMC is an excellent environment to study PNe and conduct multiple studies. Over the past twelve months we have used the UKST Hα survey to complete our search for faint PNe in the outer most LMC beyond the 64 deg2 area previously covered. Follow-up spectroscopy using AAOmega on the AAT and the 2.3-m telescope at Siding Spring Observatory have yielded a further 22 new LMC PNe while confirming the 8 previously known in the outer LMC. Medium- and high-resolution spectra have been used to measure fluxes and derive densities, mass and central star temperatures. A strong correlation is found between PNe and stellar density. This is visually displayed and given an empirical value of α = 1 PN / 2.5 × 106 L⊙. The current [O iii]-based PNLF, apart from providing an excellent standard candle, contains information about the parent population. The new PNLF, which extends down nine magnitudes, permits investigation of the faint end, the overall effects of internal extinction and provides clues to explain the insensitivity of the PNLF cutoff. When compared to the ionised density and mass of LMC PNe, the PNLF reveals it’s bimodal characteristics. Two separate evolutionary paths are evident for young, evolving PNe.]]
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAstronomy in focus: as presented at the IAU XXIX General Assembly, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States, 2015
PublisherCambridge University Press
Number of pages6
ISBN (Print)9781107169838
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016
EventInternational Astronomical Union. General Assembly -
Duration: 3 Aug 2015 → …

Publication series

Name
ISSN (Print)1743-9213

Conference

ConferenceInternational Astronomical Union. General Assembly
Period3/08/15 → …

Keywords

  • Magellanic Clouds
  • planetary nebulae

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