Planetary Nebula Candidates Uncovered with the HASH Research Platform

TL;DR

This study leverages high-quality radio and infrared data combined with diagnostic tools on the HASH platform to identify and confirm new planetary nebula candidates, including some with optical counterparts suitable for spectroscopic follow-up.

Contribution

It introduces a novel methodology integrating radio, infrared, and diagnostic analysis to discover new planetary nebula candidates using the HASH platform.

Findings

70 new PN candidates identified

Spectroscopic follow-up confirmed one as a bona fide PN

Some candidates have optical counterparts for further study

Abstract

A detailed examination of new high quality radio catalogues (e.g. Cornish) in combination with available mid-infrared (MIR) satellite imagery (e.g. Glimpse) has allowed us to find 70 new planetary nebula (PN) candidates based on existing knowledge of their typical colors and fluxes. To further examine the nature of these sources, multiple diagnostic tools have been applied to these candidates based on published data and on available imagery in the HASH (Hong Kong/ AAO/ Strasbourg H{\alpha} planetary nebula) research platform. Some candidates have previously-missed optical counterparts allowing for spectroscopic follow-up. Indeed, the single object spectroscopically observed so far has turned out to be a bona fide PN.