Swift/UVOT Photometry of the Planetary Nebula WeBo 1: Unmasking A Faint Hot Companion Star

TL;DR

This study uses Swift UVOT data to identify and characterize a faint hot companion star in the planetary nebula WeBo 1, revealing its temperature, size, and the dust extinction properties affecting UV observations.

Contribution

First demonstration of UVOT photometry effectively uncovering and analyzing a faint hot companion star in a planetary nebula.

Findings

The hot companion has a temperature of at least 40,000 K.

The companion's radius is at most 0.056 R_sun.

UV extinction curve properties influence temperature estimates.

Abstract

We present an analysis of over 150 ks of data on the planetary nebula WeBo 1 (PN G135.6+01.0) obtained with the Swift Ultraviolet Optical Telescope (UVOT). The central object of this nebula has previously been described as a late-type K giant barium star with a possible hot companion, most likely a young pre-white dwarf. UVOT photometry shows that while the optical photometry is consistent with a large cool object, the near-ultraviolet (UV) photometry shows far more UV flux than could be produced by any late-type object. Using model stellar atmospheres and a comparison to UVOT photometry for the pre-white dwarf PG 1159-035, we find that the companion has a temperature of at least 40,000 K and a radius of, at most, 0.056 R_sun. While the temperature and radius are consistent with a hot compact stellar remnant, they are lower and larger, respectively, than expected for a typical young pre-white dwarf. This likely indicates a deficiency in the assumed UV extinction curve. We find that higher temperatures more consistent with expectations for a pre-white dwarf can be derived if the foreground dust has a strong "blue bump" at 2175 AA and a lower R_V. Our results demonstrate the ability of Swift to both uncover and characterize hot hidden companion stars and to constrain the UV extinction properties of foreground dust based solely on UVOT photometry.