Low-ionization structures in planetary nebulae -- II. Densities, temperatures, abundances and excitation of 6 PNe

TL;DR

This study investigates the physical conditions, chemical compositions, and excitation mechanisms of low-ionization structures in six planetary nebulae using spatially resolved spectroscopy.

Contribution

It provides detailed measurements of densities, temperatures, and abundances in LISs, and discusses the role of shocks and radiation in their excitation, advancing understanding of nebular structures.

Findings

LISs generally have lower or equal electron densities compared to rims and shells.

Temperatures derived from NII and OIII diagnostics show different trends, with OIII slightly higher in LISs.

Shocks may play a significant role in exciting LISs, depending on nebular orientation.

Abstract

Here we present the spatially resolved study of six Galactic planetary nebulae (PNe), namely IC 4593, Hen 2-186, Hen 2-429, NGC 3918, NGC 6543 and NGC 6905, from intermediate-resolution spectra of the 2.5 m Isaac Newton Telescope and the 1.54 m Danish telescope. The physical conditions (electron densities, N$_{e}$, and temperatures, T$_{e}$), chemical compositions and dominant excitation mechanisms for the different regions of these objects are derived, in an attempt to go deeper on the knowledge of the low-ionization structures (LISs) hosted by these PNe. We reinforce the previous conclusions that LISs are characterized by lower (or at most equal) N$_{e}$ than their associated rims and shells. As for the T$_{e}$, we point out a \textit{possible} different trend between the N and O diagnostics. T$_e$[NII] does not show significant variations throughout the nebular components, whereas T$_e$[OIII] appears to be slightly higher for LISs. The much larger uncertainties associated with the T$_e$[OIII] of LISs do not allow robust conclusions. Moreover, the chemical abundances show no variation from one to another PN components, not even contrasting LISs with rims and shells, as also found in a number of other works. By discussing the ionization photon flux due to shocks and stellar radiation, we explore the possible mechanisms responsible for the excitation of LISs. We argue that the presence of shocks in LISs is not negligible, although there is a strong dependence on the orientation of the host PNe and LISs.