Poster abstract details
UV Emission Line Imaging of Planetary Nebulae
Abstract
GALEX (the Galaxy Evolution Explorer) has provided far-UV(1344-1786AA) and near-UV(1771-2831AA) imaging of several Planetary Nebulae (e.g., Bianchi et al. 2008).
Such data are sensitive to detect low flux levels (of the order of 27 mag/sq.arcsec), fainter than any spectroscopic capability can reach, however the broad-band filters may include both several nebular emission lines and continuum emission, in the direct imaging mode.
We used the GALEX grism mode to obtain slitless spectral imaging of a sample of PNe with diameters larger than 1 arcminute, in the near-UV range.
The grism data produce 2D images of the prominent UV nebular emission lines, when such lines dominate the flux. Combined with diagnostic lines in the optical domain, such measurements help constrain physical parameters, including some abundances.
This program is an experimental use of the grism for emission line objects, and as such may suggest potential expansions with other instrumentation.
Such data are sensitive to detect low flux levels (of the order of 27 mag/sq.arcsec), fainter than any spectroscopic capability can reach, however the broad-band filters may include both several nebular emission lines and continuum emission, in the direct imaging mode.
We used the GALEX grism mode to obtain slitless spectral imaging of a sample of PNe with diameters larger than 1 arcminute, in the near-UV range.
The grism data produce 2D images of the prominent UV nebular emission lines, when such lines dominate the flux. Combined with diagnostic lines in the optical domain, such measurements help constrain physical parameters, including some abundances.
This program is an experimental use of the grism for emission line objects, and as such may suggest potential expansions with other instrumentation.