Multiple and Precessing Collimated Outflows in the Planetary Nebula IC 4634

• Published in: The Astrophysical journal 2008-08, Vol.683 (1), p.272-286
• Main Authors: Guerrero, Martín A, Miranda, Luis F, Riera, Angels, Velázquez, Pablo F, Olguín, Lorenzo, Vázquez, Roberto, Chu, You-Hua, Raga, Alejandro, Benítez, G
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Astronomy; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology
• ISSN: 0004-637X; 1538-4357
• DOI: 10.1086/588632

With its remarkable double-S shape, IC 4634 is an archetype of point- symmetric planetary nebulae (PNe). In this paper, we present a detailed study of this PN using archival HST WFPC2 and ground-based narrowband images to investigate its morphology, and long-slit spectroscopic observations to determine its kinematics and to derive its physical conditions and excitation. The data reveal new structural components, including a distant string of knots distributed along an arclike feature 40 super([image] )- 60 super([image] ) from the center of the nebula, a skin of enhanced [O iii]/H alpha ratio enveloping the inner shell and the double-S feature, and a triple-shell structure. The spatio-kinematical study also finds an equatorial component of the main nebula that is kinematically independent of the bright inner S- shaped arc. We have investigated in detail the bow shock-like features in IC 4634 and found that their morphological, kinematical, and emission properties are consistent with the interaction of a collimated outflow with surrounding material. Indeed, the morphology and kinematics of some of these features can be interpreted using a three-dimensional numerical simulation of a collimated outflow precessing at a moderate, time-dependent velocity. Apparently, IC 4634 has experienced several episodes of point-symmetric ejections oriented in different directions, with the outer S-shaped feature being related to an earlier point-symmetric ejection, and the outermost arclike string of knots being the relic of a still much earlier point-symmetric ejection. There is tantalizing evidence that the action of these collimated outflows has also taken part in the shaping of the innermost shell and inner S-shaped arc of IC 4634.