The chemistry of planetary nebulae in the outer regions of M31

We present spectroscopy of nine planetary nebulae (PNe) in the outskirts of M31, all but one obtained with the 10.4m GTC telescope. These sources extend our previous study of the oxygen abundance gradient of M31 to galactocentric radii as large as 100 kpc. None of the targets are bona fide members of a classical, metal-poor and ancient halo. Two of the outermost PNe have solar oxygen abundances, as well as radial velocities consistent with the kinematics of the extended disk of M31. The other PNe have a slightly lower oxygen content ([O/H] ~ -0.4) and in some cases large deviations from the disk kinematics. These PNe support the current view that the external regions of M31 are the result of a complex interaction and merger process, with evidence for a widespread population of solar-metallicity stars produced in a starburst that occurred ~2 Gyr ago.

First release of the IPHAS Catalogue of New Extended Planetary Nebulae

We present the first results of our search for new, extended Planetary Nebulae (PNe) based on careful, systematic, visual scrutiny of the imaging data from the INT Photometric H-alpha Survey of the Northern Galactic Plane (IPHAS). The newly uncovered PNe will help to improve the census of this important population of Galactic objects that serve as key windows into the late stage evolution of low to intermediate mass stars. They will also facilitate study of the faint end of the ensemble Galactic PN luminosity function. The sensitivity and coverage of IPHAS allows PNe to be found in regions of greater extinction in the Galactic Plane and/or those PNe in a more advanced evolutionary state and at larger distances compared to the general Galactic PN population. Using a set of newly revised optical diagnostic diagrams in combination with access to a powerful, new, multi-wavelength imaging database, we have identified 159 true, likely and possible PNe for this first catalogue release. The ability of IPHAS to unveil PNe at low Galactic latitudes and towards the Galactic Anticenter, compared to previous surveys, makes this survey an ideal tool to contribute to the improvement of our knowledge of the whole Galactic PN population

The planetary nebula IPHASXJ211420.0+434136 (Ou5): insights into common-envelope dynamical and chemical evolution

While analysing the images of the IPHAS H$alpha$ survey, we noticed that the central star of the candidate planetary nebula IPHASXJ211420.0+434136 (also named Ou5) was clearly variable. This is generally considered as an indication of binarity. To confirm it, we performed a photometric monitoring of the central star, and obtained images and spectra of the nebula. The nebular spectrum confirms that IPHASXJ211420.0+434136 is a planetary nebula of moderately high excitation. It has a remarkable morphology with two nested pairs of bipolar lobes, and other unusual features. The light curve of the central star reveals that it is an eclipsing binary system with an orbital period of 8.74 hours. It also displays a strong irradiation effect with an amplitude of 1.5~mag. The presence of multiple bipolar outflows adds constraints to the formation of these nebulae, suggesting the occurrence of discrete ejection events during, or immediately before, the common-envelope phase. IPHASXJ211420.0+434136 also adds evidence to the hypothesis that a significant fraction of planetary nebulae with close binary central stars have a peculiar nebular chemistry and a relatively low nebular mass. This may point to low-mass, low-metallicity progenitors, with additional effects related to the binary evolution. We also suggest that these objects may be relevant to understand the abundance discrepancy problem in planetary nebulae.

The new carbon symbiotic star IPHAS J205836.43+503307.2

We are performing a search for symbiotic stars using IPHAS, the INT Halpha survey of the northern Galactic plane, and follow-up observations. Candidate symbiotic stars are selected on the basis of their IPHAS and near-IR colours, and spectroscopy and photometry are obtained to determine their nature. We present here observations of the symbiotic star candidate IPHAS J205836.43+503307.2. The optical spectrum shows the combination of a number of emission lines, among which are the high-excitation species of [OIII], HeII, [Ca V], and [Fe VII], and a red continuum with the features of a star at the cool end of the carbon star sequence. The nebular component is spatially resolved: the analysis of the spatial profile of the [NII]6583 line in the spectrum indicates a linear size of ~2.5 arcsec along the east-west direction. Its velocity structure suggests an aspherical morphology. The near-infrared excess of the source, which was especially strong in 1999, indicated that a thick circumstellar dust shell was also present in the system. The carbon star has brightened in the last decade by two to four magnitudes at red and near-infrared wavelengths. Photometric monitoring during a period of 60 days from November 2010 to January 2011 reveals a slow luminosity decrease of 0.2 magnitudes. From the observed spectrophotometric properties and variability, we conclude that the source is a new Galactic symbiotic star of the D-type, of the rare kind that contains a carbon star, likely a carbon Mira. Only two other systems of this type are known in the Galaxy.

The Necklace: equatorial and polar outflows from the binary central star of the new planetary nebula IPHASXJ194359.5+170901

IPHASXJ194359.5+170901 is a new high-excitation planetary nebula with remarkable characteristics. It consists of a knotty ring expanding at a speed of 28 km/s, and a fast collimated outflow in the form of faint lobes and caps along the direction perpendicular to the ring. The expansion speed of the polar caps is 100 km/s, and their kinematical age is twice as large as the age of the ring. Time-resolved photometry of the central star of IPHASXJ194359.5+170901 reveals a sinusoidal modulation with a period of 1.16 days. This is interpreted as evidence for binarity of the central star, the brightness variations being related to the orbital motion of an irradiated companion. This is supported by the spectrum of the central star in the visible range, which appears to be dominated by emission from the irradiated zone, consisting of a warm (6000-7000 K) continuum, narrow C III, C IV, and N III emission lines, and broader lines from a flat H I Balmer sequence in emission. IPHASXJ194359.5+170901 helps to clarify the role of (close) binaries in the formation and shaping of planetary nebulae. The output of the common-envelope evolution of the system is a strongly flattened circumstellar mass deposition, a feature that seems to be distinctive of this kind of binary system. Also, IPHASXJ194359.5+170901 is among the first post-CE PNe for which the existence of a high-velocity polar outflow has been demonstrated. Its kinematical age might indicate that the polar outflow is formed before the common-envelope phase. This points to mass transfer onto the secondary as the origin, but alternative explanations are also considered.

IPHAS and the symbiotic stars. II. New discoveries and a sample of the most common mimics

In a previous paper [arXiv:0712.2391], we presented the selection criteria needed to search for symbiotic stars in IPHAS, the INT Halpha survey of the Northern Galactic plane. IPHAS gives us the opportunity to make a systematic, complete search for symbiotic stars in a magnitude-limited volume. Follow-up spectroscopy at different telescopes worldwide of a sample of sixty two symbiotic star candidates is presented. Seven out of nineteen S-type candidates observed spectroscopically are confirmed to be genuine symbiotic stars. The spectral type of their red giant components, as well as reddening and distance, were computed by modelling the spectra. Only one new D-type symbiotic system, out of forty-three candidates observed, was found. This was as expected (see discussion in our paper on the selection criteria). The object shows evidence for a high density outflow expanding at a speed larger than 65 km/s. Most of the other candidates are lightly reddened classical T Tauri stars and more highly reddened young stellar objects that may be either more massive young stars of HAeBe type or classical Be stars. In addition, a few notable objects have been found, such as three new Wolf-Rayet stars and two relatively high-luminosity evolved massive stars. We also found a helium-rich source, possibly a dense ejecta hiding a WR star, which is surrounded by a large ionized nebula.

IPHAS and the symbiotic stars. I. Selection method and first discoveries

The study of symbiotic stars is essential to understand important aspects of stellar evolution in interacting binaries. Their observed population in the Galaxy is however poorly known, and is one to three orders of magnitudes smaller than the predicted population size. IPHAS, the INT Photometric Halpha survey of the Northern Galactic plane, gives us the opportunity to make a systematic, complete search for symbiotic stars in a magnitude-limited volume, and discover a significant number of new systems. A method of selecting candidate symbiotic stars by combining IPHAS and near-IR (2MASS) colours is presented. It allows us to distinguish symbiotic binaries from normal stars and most of the other types of Halpha emission line stars in the Galaxy. The only exception are T Tauri stars, which can however be recognized because of their concentration in star forming regions. Using these selection criteria, we discuss the classification of a list of 4338 IPHAS stars with Halpha in emission. 1500 to 2000 of them are likely to be Be stars. Among the remaining objects, 1183 fulfill our photometric constraints to be considered candidate symbiotic stars. The spectroscopic confirmation of three of these objects, which are the first new symbiotic stars discovered by IPHAS, proves the potential of the survey and selection method.