Low-ionization structures in planetary nebulae – I. Physical, kinematic and excitation properties

• Published in: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 2016-01, Vol.455 (1), p.930-961
• Main Authors: Akras, Stavros, Gonçalves, Denise R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Astronomy; Atoms & subatomic particles; Density; Diagnostic systems; Excitation; Formations; Ionization; Kinematics; Nebulae; Photoionization; Planetary nebulae; Spectrum analysis; Star & galaxy formation
• ISSN: 0035-8711; 1365-2966
• DOI: 10.1093/mnras/stv2139

Though the low-ionization small-scale structures (LISs) such as knots, filaments and jets of planetary nebulae (PNe) are known for ∼30 yr, some of their observational properties are not well established. In consequence, our ability to include them in the wider context of the formation and evolution of PNe is directly affected. Why most structures have lower densities than the PN shells hosting them? Is their intense emission in low-ionization lines the key to their main excitation mechanism? Therefore, if considered altogether, can LISs line ratios, chemical abundances and kinematics enlighten the interplay between the different excitation and formation processes? Here we present a spectroscopic analysis of five PNe that possess LISs confirming that all nebular components have comparable electron temperatures, whereas the electron density is systematically lower in LISs than in the surrounding nebula. Chemical abundances of LISs versus other PN components do not show significant differences as well. By using diagnostic diagrams from shock models, we demonstrate that LISs’ main excitation is due to shocks, whereas the other components are mainly photoionized. We also propose new diagnostic diagrams involving a few emission lines ([N ii], [O iii], [S ii]) and log(f shocks/f *), where f shocks and f * are the ionization photon fluxes due to the shocks and the central star ionizing continuum, respectively. A robust relation differentiating the structures is found, with the shock-excited clearly having log(f shocks/f *) > −1; while the photoionized structures have log(f shocks/f *) < −2. A transition zone, with −2 < log(f shocks/f *) < −1, where both mechanisms are equally important, is also defined.