The Origin and Evolution of Planetary Nebulae

A comprehensive review of the origin and evolution of planetary nebulae.

Sun Kwok (Author)

9780521039079, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 11 August 2007

260 pages, 113 b/w illus. 18 tables
24.2 x 16.7 x 1.2 cm, 0.42 kg

Translation: 'In sum, The Origin and Evolution of Planetary Nebulae is a technical book undeniably rich demonstrations, quantitative data and mathematical formulas, which is primarily intended for researchers and graduate students in astronomy and astrophysics.' Yves Laberge, Physics in Canada

This authoritative volume provides a comprehensive review of the origin and evolution of planetary nebulae. It covers all the stages of their evolution, carefully synthesizes observations from across the spectrum, and clearly explains all the key physical processes at work. Particular emphasis is placed on observations from space, using the Hubble Space Telescope, the Infrared Space Observatory, and the ROSAT satellite. This book presents a thoroughly modern understanding of planetary nebulae, integrating developments in stellar physics with the dynamics of nebular evolution. It also describes exciting possibilities such as the use of planetary nebulae in determining the cosmic distance scale, the distribution of dark matter and the chemical evolution of galaxies. This book provides graduate students with an accessible introduction to planetary nebulae, and researchers with an authoritative reference. It can also be used as an advanced text on the physics of the interstellar medium.

Preface
1. History and overview
2. Ionization structure of planetary nebulae
3. Nebular line radiation
4. Nebular continuum radiation
5. The neutral gas component
6. The dust component
7. Observations of the central star of planetary nebulae
8. Morphologies of planetary nebulae
9. Problems and questions
10. Asymptotic giant branch stars - progenitors of planetary nebulae
11. Evolution of the central stars
12. Formation of planetary nebulae
13. Dynamical evolution of planetary nebulae
14. Proto-planetary nebulae - the transition objects
15. Evolution to the white dwarf stage
16. Distances to planetary nebulae
17. Comparison between evolutionary models and observations
18. PN in the galactic context
19. Chemical abundances
20. Planetary nebulae in other galaxies
21. Concluding remarks
References
Appendix: list of symbols and abbreviations
Subject index.

Subject Areas: Astrophysics [PHVB], Plasma physics [PHFP]