X-ray Observations of Planetary Nebulae in Globular Clusters

Planetary nebulae (PNe) are not expected to form in globular clusters (GCs), hence, the four known GC PNe present exciting challenges to our understanding of stellar evolution. Despite an abundance of optical and IR observations, the origin of these PNe is uncertain. There are two competing scenarios that could explain the origin of these GC PNe: (1) the transition time to produce a PNe could be faster than current models predict, or (2) the PN formation is assisted via binary interactions. Based on the Chandra Planetary Nebulae Survey, X-ray observations may be particularly well-suited to determine the origin of these GC PNe. We have compiled archival Chandra observations totaling hundreds of kiloseconds in order to shine an X-ray light on PNe in GCs.