Wolf-Rayet Central Stars of Planetary Nebulae: Their Evolution and Properties

TL;DR

This paper reviews the increasing discovery of Wolf-Rayet central stars in planetary nebulae, discusses their properties, and explores their evolutionary sequence using new distance measurements and survey data.

Contribution

It provides an updated overview of Wolf-Rayet CSPN discoveries and proposes a dynamical age sequence to understand their evolution based on recent distance data.

Findings

Wolf-Rayet CSPN are less than 10% of central stars but may be more common with further surveys.

New distance measurements enable better understanding of their evolutionary stages.

The study suggests a potential evolutionary sequence for Wolf-Rayet CSPN.

Abstract

Over the past decade, the number of planetary nebula central stars (CSPN) known to exhibit the Wolf-Rayet (WR) phenomenon has grown substantially. Many of these discoveries have resulted from the Macquarie/AAO/Strasbourg Ha (MASH) PN Survey. While WR CSPN constitute a relatively rare stellar type (<10% of CS), there are indications that the proportion of PN harbouring them may increase as spectroscopy of more central stars is carried out. In addition, with new and better distances from the Ha surface brightness-radius relationship of Frew (2008), we can attempt a dynamical age sequence which may provide insight into the evolution of these stars.