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K 1-6: An asymmetric planetary nebula with a binary central star

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journal contribution
posted on 2024-06-04, 01:11 authored by DJ Frew, J Stanger, Michael FitzgeraldMichael Fitzgerald, Q Parker, L Danaia, D McKinnon, MA Guerrero, J Hedberg, R Hollow, Y An, SH Bor, I Colman, C Graham-White, QW Li, J Mai, K Papadakis, J Picone-Murray, MV Hoang, V Yean
AbstractWe present new imaging data and archival multiwavelength observations of the little-studied emission nebula K 1-6 and its central star. Narrow-band images inHα (+[N II]) and [O III] taken with the Faulkes Telescope North reveal a stratified, asymmetric, elliptical nebula surrounding a central star which has the colours of a late G or early K-type subgiant or giant. GALEX ultraviolet images reveal a very hot subdwarf or white dwarf coincident in position with this star. The cooler, optically dominant star is strongly variable with a period of 21.312± 0.008 days, and is possibly a high-amplitude member of the RS CVn class, although an FK Com classification is also possible. Archival ROSAT data provide good evidence that the cool star has an active corona. We conclude that K 1-6 is most likely an old bona fide planetary nebula at a distance of ∼1.0 kpc, interacting with the interstellar medium, and containing a binary or ternary central star. The observations and data analyses reported in this paper were conducted in conjunction with Year 11 high school students as part of an Australian Research Council Linkage Grant science education project, denoted Space To Grow, conducted jointly by professional astronomers, educational researchers, teachers, and high-school students.

History

Journal

Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia

Volume

28

Pagination

83-94

Open access

  • Yes

ISSN

1323-3580

eISSN

1448-6083

Language

English

Publication classification

C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Issue

1

Publisher

CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS