VISIR-VLT Images of the Water Maser Emitting Planetary Nebula K 3-35

TL;DR

This study uses VISIR-VLT mid-infrared imaging to explore the morphology and temperature distribution of the very young bipolar planetary nebula K 3-35, revealing features unseen in optical wavelengths.

Contribution

First mid-infrared imaging of K 3-35 revealing its innermost regions and jet structures, enhancing understanding of its dust and temperature distribution.

Findings

Detection of innermost nebular regions not visible optically

Identification of precessing bipolar jets

Temperature variations in equatorial and jet regions

Abstract

K3-35 is an extremely young bipolar planetary nebula that contains a precessing bipolar jet and a small (radius 80 AU) water maser equatorial ring. We have obtained VISIR- VLT images of K 3-35 in the PAH1 ({\lambda}=8.6 {\mu}m), [S iv] ({\lambda}=10.6 {\mu}m), and SiC ({\lambda}=11.85 {\mu}m) filters to analize the mid-IR morphology and the temperature structure of its dust emission. The images show the innermost nebular regions undetected at optical wavelegths and the precessing bipolar jets. The temperature map shows variations in the temperature in the equatorial zone and in regions associated to its jets.