Shaping point- and mirror-symmetric proto-planetary nebulae by the orbital motion of the central binary system

TL;DR

This study uses 3D hydrodynamical simulations to explore how the orbital motion of a binary system influences the symmetric and asymmetric structures observed in proto-planetary nebulae, providing insights into their morphologies.

Contribution

It introduces detailed 3D hydrodynamical models of jets from binary systems to explain symmetric and asymmetric nebulae structures, linking orbital motion to observed morphologies.

Findings

Simulations produce point- and mirror-symmetric nebulae structures.

Models explain observed emission asymmetries in proto-planetary nebulae.

Flow orientation affects nebula symmetry and appearance.

Abstract

We present 3D hydrodynamical simulations of a jet launched from the secondary star of a binary system inside a proto-planetary nebula. The secondary star moves around the primary in a close eccentric orbit. From the gasdynamic simulations we compute synthetic [NII] 6583 emission maps. Different jet axis inclinations with respect to the orbital plane, as well as different orientations of the flow with respect to the observer are considered. For some parameter combinations, we obtain structures that show point- or mirror-symmetric morphologies depending on the orientation of the flow with respect to the observer. Furthermore, our models can explain some of the emission distribution asymmetries that are summarized in the classification given by Soker & hadar (2002).