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arXiv · 1210.0562

IC4663: the first unambiguous [WN] Wolf-Rayet central star of a planetary nebula

Brent Miszalski·Paul A. Crowther·Orsola De Marco·Joachim Köppen·Anthony F. J. Moffat·Agnès Acker·Todd C. Hillwig
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Abstract

Several [WC]-type central stars of planetary nebulae (PNe) are known to mimic the spectroscopic appearance of massive carbon-rich or WC-type Wolf-Rayet stars. In stark contrast, no [WN]-type central stars have yet been identified as clear-cut analogues of the common nitrogen-rich or WN-type Wolf-Rayet stars. We have identified the [WN3] central star of IC4663 to be the first unambiguous example in PNe. The low luminosity nucleus and an asymptotic giant branch (AGB) halo surrounding the main nebula prove the bona-fide PN nature of IC4663. Model atmosphere analysis reveals the [WN3] star to have an exotic chemical composition of helium (95%), hydrogen (<2%), nitrogen (0.8%), neon (0.2%) and oxygen (0.05%) by mass. Such an extreme helium-dominated composition cannot be predicted by current evolutionary scenarios for hydrogen deficient [WC]-type central stars. Only with the discovery of IC4663 and its unusual composition can we now connect [WN] central stars to the O(He) central stars in a second H-deficient and He-rich evolutionary sequence, [WN]->O(He), that exists in parallel to the carbon-rich [WC]->PG1159 sequence. This suggests a simpler mechanism, perhaps a binary merger, can better explain H-deficiency in PNe and potentially other H-deficient/He-rich stars. In this respect IC4663 is the best supported case for a possible merged binary central star of a PN.

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Brent Miszalski, Paul A. Crowther, Orsola De Marco, Joachim Köppen, Anthony F. J. Moffat, Agnès Acker, Todd C. Hillwig. 2012-10-01. IC4663: the first unambiguous [WN] Wolf-Rayet central star of a planetary nebula. https://arxiv.org/abs/1210.0562

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