Mid-Infrared Observations of Planetary Nebulae detected in the GLIMPSE 3D Survey

TL;DR

This study analyzes mid-infrared observations of 24 planetary nebulae from the GLIMPSE 3D survey, revealing emission features, flux ratio variations, and evolutionary color changes in these celestial objects.

Contribution

It provides new detailed MIR mapping and photometry of planetary nebulae, highlighting emission from PAHs and variations related to nebular evolution.

Findings

Detection of PAH emission outside ionized zones

Flux ratio variations with distance from nebula centers

Enhanced MIR emission observed in nebular halos

Abstract

We present mapping, profiles and photometry for 24 planetary nebulae (PNe) detected in the GLIMPSE 3D mid-infrared (MIR) survey of the Galactic plane. The PNe show many of the properties observed in previous studies of these sources, including evidence for longer wave emission from outside of the ionised zones, a likely consequence of emission from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) within the nebular photo-dissociation regimes (PDRs). We also note variations in 5.8/4.5 and 8.0/4.5 microns flux ratios with distance from the nuclei; present evidence for enhanced MIR emission in the halos of the sources; and note evidence for variations in colour with nebular evolution.