NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2013A-0417
|
NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2013A-0417 |
|
PI: Ting-Hui Lee, Western Kentucky University, ting-hui.lee@wku.edu
Address: Physics Department, 1906 College Heights Blvd, Bowling Green, KY 42101, USA
CoI: Richard A. Shaw, National Optical Astronomy Observatory
CoI: Letizia Stanghellini, National Optical Astronomy Observatory
Title: Chemical Abundances of Compact Planetary Nebulae in the Galactic Disk
Abstract: We propose to obtain SOAR/Goodman spectra of 60 Galactic disk planetary nebulae (PNe) to derive their elemental abundances. These observations will be combined with \textitSpitzer spectra of IR collisional lines to improve some abundance constraints. Our targets are compact (<5\arcsec), mostly young PNe, which are well suited for studying the impact of metallicity and dust on PN morphology. Our main objectives are: (1) constrain stellar evolution models, (2) quantify the contribution of low- to intermediate-mass stars to chemical enrichment, and (3) investigate the apparent sulfur under-abundance anomaly in PNe. We will also compare these findings to our optical+IR Magellanic Cloud PN abundances to better understand the influence of environment metallicity on stellar chemical yields. Our SOAR/Goodman pilot program last semester yielded high quality spectra for 15 PNe; we plan to observe the remaining brighter southern-sky objects in 2013A. We seek optical spectra for a total of 150 compact PNe to match our \textitSpitzer sample and build a complete database of compact PN chemical abundances in the Galactic disk.
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 North Cherry Avenue, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85726, Phone: (520) 318-8000, Fax: (520) 318-8360
|
NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2013A-0417 |
|