Galactic Bulge PNe: Carbon molecules in oxygen-rich environments

Lizette Guzmán-Ramírez, Albert Zijlstra, Roisin Níchuimín, Krzysztof Gesicki, Eric Lagadec, Tom J. Millar, Paul M. Woods

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

    Abstract

    Galactic bulge planetary nebulae show evidence of mixed chemistry with emission from both silicate dust and PAHs. This mixed chemistry is unlikely to be related to carbon dredge up, as third dredge-up is not expected to occur in the low mass bulge stars. We show that the phenomenon is widespread, and is seen in 30 nebulae out of our sample of 40. A strong correlation is found between strength of the PAH bands and morphology, in particular, the presence of a dense torus. A chemical model is presented which shows that hydrocarbon chains can form within oxygen-rich gas through gas-phase chemical reactions. We conclude that the mixed chemistry phenomenon occurring in the galactic bulge planetary nebulae is best explained through hydrocarbon chemistry in an UV-irradiated, dense torus. © 2012 International Astronomical Union.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationProceedings of the International Astronomical Union|Proc. Int. Astron. Union
    Pages259-262
    Number of pages3
    Volume7
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Jul 2011

    Publication series

    NameIAU Symposium

    Keywords

    • circumstellar matter
    • Galaxy: bulge
    • planetary nebulae: general

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