3,168 research outputs found
Newly discovered halos and outer features around southern planetary nebulae
We have used the SuperCOSMOS H-alpha Survey to look for faint outer
structures such as halos, ansae and jets around known planetary nebulae across
4000 square degrees of the southern Milky Way. Our search will contribute to a
more accurate census of these features in the Galactic PN population. Candidate
common-envelope PNe have also been identified on the basis of their
microstructures. We also intend to determine more reliable distances for these
PNe, which should allow a much better statistical basis for the post-AGB total
mass budget. Our survey offers fresh scope to address this important issue.Comment: 2 pages, 1 figure. To be published in Planetary Nebulae: an Eye to
the Future, Proceedings of IAU Symposium 283, held in Puerto de la Cruz,
Tenerife, Spain, July 25-29 201
Chemical compositions and plasma parameters of planetary nebulae with Wolf-Rayet and wels type central stars
Aims: Chemical compositions and other properties of planetary nebulae around
central stars of spectral types [WC], [WO], and wels are compared with those of
`normal' central stars, in order to clarify the evolutionary status of each
type and their interrelation. Methods: We use plasma diagnostics to derive from
optical spectra the plasma parameters and chemical compositions of 48 planetary
nebulae. We also reanalyze the published spectra of a sample of 167 non-WR PN.
The results as well as the observational data are compared in detail with those
from other studies of the objects in common. Results: The central star's
spectral type is clearly correlated with electron density, temperature and
excitation class of the nebula, [WC] nebulae tend to be smaller than the other
types. All this corroborates the view of an evolutionary sequence from cool [WC
11] central stars inside dense, low excitation nebulae towards hot [WO 1] stars
with low density, high excitation nebulae. The wels PN, however, appear to be a
separate class of objects, not linked to WRPN by evolution, --abridged--Comment: 17 pages, 28 figures, Accepted in A&A. Accepted in A&
Binary planetary nebulae nuclei towards the Galactic bulge. II. A penchant for bipolarity and low-ionisation structures
Considerable effort has been applied towards understanding the precise
shaping mechanisms responsible for the diverse range of morphologies exhibited
by planetary nebulae (PNe). A binary companion is increasingly gaining support
as a dominant shaping mechanism, however morphological studies of the few PNe
that we know for certain were shaped by binary evolution are scarce or biased.
Newly discovered binary central stars (CSPN) from the OGLE-III photometric
variability survey have significantly increased the sample of post
common-envelope (CE) nebulae available for morphological analysis. We present
Gemini South narrow-band images for most of the new sample to complement
existing data in a qualitative morphological study of 30 post-CE nebulae.
Nearly 30% of nebulae have canonical bipolar morphologies, however this rises
to 60% once inclination effects are incorporated with the aid of geometric
models. This is the strongest observational evidence yet linking CE evolution
to bipolar morphologies. A higher than average proportion of the sample shows
low-ionisation knots, filaments or jets suggestive of a binary origin. These
features are also common around emission-line nuclei which may be explained by
speculative binary formation scenarios for H-deficient CSPN.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&
Experimental steady-state performance of a multitube, centrally finned, potassium condensing radiator
Steady state performance of multitube, centrally finned, potassium condensing radiato
Potassium condensing tests of horizontal multitube convective and radiative condensers operating at vapor temperatures of 1250 deg to 1500 deg F
Potassium condensing tests of horizontal multitube convective and radiative condenser operating at vapor temperature
Constraints on decay plus oscillation solutions of the solar neutrino problem
We examine the constraints on non-radiative decay of neutrinos from the
observations of solar neutrino experiments. The standard oscillation hypothesis
among three neutrinos solves the solar and atmospheric neutrino problems. Decay
of a massive neutrino mixed with the electron neutrino results in the depletion
of the solar neutrino flux. We introduce neutrino decay in the oscillation
hypothesis and demand that decay does not spoil the successful explanation of
solar and atmospheric observations. We obtain a lower bound on the ratio of the
lifetime over the mass of , (\tau_2/m_2) > 22.7 (\srm/\MeV) for the
MSW solution of the solar neutrino problem and (\tau_2/m_2) > 27.8
(\srm/\MeV) for the VO solution (at 99% C.L.).Comment: 8 pages latex file with 4 figure
The CORSAGE Programme: Continuous Orbital Remote Sensing of Archipelagic Geochemical Effects
Current and pending oceanographic remote sensing technology allows the conceptualization of a programme designed to investigate ocean island interactions that could induce short-term nearshore fluxes of particulate organic carbon and biogenic calcium carbonate from pelagic island archipelagoes. These events will influence the geochemistry of adjacent waters, particularly the marine carbon system. Justification and design are provided for a study that would combine oceanographic satellite remote sensing (visible and infrared radiometry, altimetry and scatterometry) with shore-based facilities. A programme incorporating the methodology outlined here would seek to identify the mechanisms that cause such events, assess their geochemical significance, and provide both analytical and predictive capabilities for observations on greater temporal and spatial scales
Decay of High-Energy Astrophysical Neutrinos
Existing limits on the non-radiative decay of one neutrino to another plus a
massless particle (e.g., a singlet Majoron) are very weak. The best limits on
the lifetime to mass ratio come from solar neutrino observations, and are
\tau/m \agt 10^{-4} s/eV for the relevant mass eigenstate(s). For lifetimes
even several orders of magnitude longer, high-energy neutrinos from distant
astrophysical sources would decay. This would strongly alter the flavor ratios
from the expected
from oscillations alone, and should be readily visible in the near future in
detectors such as IceCube.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure. References added. Version to appear in PR
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