Circumstellar Matter: Neutral Shells and Planetary Nebula Formation

New York University, New York NY

Investigators

Abstract

ABSTRACT Huggins, Patrick "Circumstellar Matter: Neutral Shells & Planetary Nebula Formation" AST-9986159 This project continues the PI's study of neutral envelopes of the planetary nebula stage of stellar evolution. The proposed work will include several new areas of investigation: (1) the shaping of planetary nebulae by jets; (2) episodic mass loss and chemical changes; (3) globule and knot formation in the ejecta; and (4) circumstellar envelope evolution. The results will contribute substantially to improving our understanding of the latest stages of stellar evolution and how matter ultimately is returned to the interstellar medium. The models that are developed will be extensively compared to ground- and space-based multiwavelength observations. Funding for this project was provided by the NSF program for Stellar Astronomy & Astrophysics (AST/SAA).