Morphokinematic modelling of the point-symmetric Cat's Eye, NGC 6543: Ring-like remnants of a precessing jet

TL;DR

This paper presents a detailed 3D morpho-kinematic model of the Cat's Eye Nebula, revealing point-symmetric rings likely formed by a precessing jet, challenging existing nebula formation theories.

Contribution

It introduces a novel 3D modeling approach that uncovers complex structures in NGC 6543, suggesting jet precession as a formation mechanism.

Findings

Revealed point-symmetric partial rings in NGC 6543

Identified precessing jet as a likely formation process

Challenged the adequacy of the Interacting Stellar Winds Model

Abstract

The planetary nebula known as the Cat's Eye Nebula (NGC 6543) has a complex, point-symmetric morphology that cannot be fully explained by the current theory of planetary nebula formation, the Interacting Stellar Winds Model. In order to reveal the three dimensional (3D) structure of the Cat's Eye Nebula, we created a detailed 3D morpho-kinematic model of this nebula using a [NII] image from the Hubble Space Telescope and five different position-velocity diagrams using the SHAPE code. This modeling approach has revealed point-symmetric partial rings, which were likely formed by a precessing jet.