High-resolution X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy of the Planetary Nebula BD +30°3639
Abstract
Planetary nebulae (PN) are the last stages of evolution of intermediate mass (1-8 Msolar) stars. X-ray observations of PNs offer unique insight into the mechanisms that shape the nebulae. In February/March 2006 we observed the X-ray-bright young PN, BD+30°3639, for 150 ks using the Chandra X-ray Observatory's Low Energy Transmission Gratings in combination with its Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer (LETG/ACIS). This observation was the first half of our total time allocation with Chandra/LETG/ACIS. The well-resolved emission lines in the dispersed spectrum and the spatial structure in the 0th order image provide constraints on the origin of the X-ray-emitting plasma and the processes responsible for the structure of the nebula, respectively. We have used a combination of Subpixel Event Repositioning (SER) and deconvolution to improve the spatial resolution of the 0th order image. We report the preliminary results of spectral analysis and SER/deconvolution, including a comparison of the 0th order LETG/ACIS image with Hubble Space Telescope imaging as well as with an archival Chandra/ACIS image obtained in 2000.
- Publication:
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American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2006
- Bibcode:
- 2006AAS...20915606Y