Prospects for Asymmetric PNe with ALMA

TL;DR

This paper discusses how ALMA's advanced millimeter and sub-millimeter observational capabilities will significantly enhance understanding of planetary nebulae (PNe), especially in studying asymmetries during stellar evolution.

Contribution

It evaluates the potential scientific advancements ALMA can bring to the study of asymmetric planetary nebulae and the transition from AGB stars to white dwarfs.

Findings

ALMA will enable detailed imaging of PNe structures.

Enhanced sensitivity will improve detection of asymmetries.

New data will refine models of stellar evolution.

Abstract

Millimeter and sub-millimeter observations have made fundamental contributions to our current understanding of the transition from AGB stars to white dwarfs. The approaching era of ALMA brings significantly enhanced observing capabilities at these wavelengths and promises to push back the frontiers in a number of ways. We examine the scientific prospects of this new era for PNe, with an emphasis on how developments may contribute to the goals of the asymmetric PNe community.