A study of the compact nebulae VV 8 and M3-27.

New photometric observations of the lines and continuum in the compact nebulae VV 8 and M3-27 are presented. The data for VV 8 are very similar to those obtained by O'Dell nearly 10 years ago. Both nebulae have high electron densities and are self-absorbed in H-alpha. Parameters describing the physical conditions are estimated using the observed Balmer and forbidden O III line strengths. By comparing the observations with suitable models for young planetary nebulae, the abundances of helium, oxygen, and neon are shown to be normal. The forbidden N II lines are stronger than predicted. The continuum in M3-27 is shown to be in good agreement with theory, while the continuum in VV 8 in the visible and infrared is much brighter than predicted. The similarity between the line spectra and inferred properties of the nebulae suggests that the optical continuum in VV 8 is unrelated to the nebulae, and may come from a late-type companion in a binary.