In this book we will look at what planetary nebulae are, where they come from and where they go. We will discuss what mechanisms cause these beautiful markers of stellar demise as well as what causes them to form their variety of shapes. How we measure various aspects of planetary nebulae such as what they are made of will also be explored.
Though we will give some aspects of planetary nebulae mathematical treatment, the main points should be accessible to people with only a limited background in mathematics. A short glossary of some of the more arcane astronomical terms is at the end of the book to help in understanding. Included at the end of each chapter is an extensive bibliography to the peer reviewed research on these objects and I would encourage the reader interested in an even deeper understanding to read these articles.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
Planetary Nebulae
Discovery and History
Components of Planetary Nebulae
2. Formation of Planetary Nebulae
Planetary Nebulae as a Stage in Stellar Evolution
Proto-planetary Nebulae
Progenitor Masses
Post Planetary Nebula
Interacting Stellar Winds
3. Observational Data of Planetary Nebulae
Chemical Abundance
Distance Determination
4. Planetary Nebulae Morphology
Classifying Planetary Nebulae
Morphology, Classification and Planetary Nebulae Evolution
Explaining Morphology
Concluding Remarks
About the Author(s)
Jason J. Nishiyama, University of Lethbridge, Calgary Campus
Jason Nishiyama is a Sessional Lecturer with the University of Lethbridge Calgary Campus and is the director of the RASC Calgary Centre’s Wilson Coulee Observatory. He received his MSc in Astronomy from the Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia. His current research is in planetary nebulae morphology. Jason lives in Calgary, Canada.
