The [S II] Spectral Images of the Planetary Nebula NGC 7009: II. Major Axis

TL;DR

This study uses high-resolution spectral imaging to analyze the density distribution, expansion velocities, and structural features of the planetary nebula NGC 7009 along its major axis, revealing complex dynamics and multiple eruption events.

Contribution

It provides detailed velocity and density maps of NGC 7009's main shell, knots, and hot bubble, offering new insights into their formation and expansion mechanisms.

Findings

Density range of $10^{2.8}$ to $10^{4.7}$ cm$^{-3}$ in the nebula.

Expansion velocities of knots and hot bubble up to 150 km/s.

Projection angle of the main shell's major axis is about 18.3 degrees.

Abstract

We derived position-velocity density distribution diagrams along the major (PA = 77$^{\circ}$) axis of the elliptical planetary nebula NGC 7009 with the Keck HIRES [SII] 6716/6731 \A, doublet spectral images. The average densities of the main shell and knots of NGC 7009 derived from the [SII] 6716/673 \A, fluxes integrated over the line of sight indicate a density range of $N_{\rm e}$ = $10^{3.4}$ to 10$^{3.9}$ $cm^{-3}$, while the local densities from the volume fraction resolved in radial velocities along the line of sight show a considerably large range of about 10$^{2.8}$ -- 10$^{4.7}$ $cm^{-3}$. The derived projection angle of the major axis of the main shell is about $\psi \sim$18.3($\pm$2)$^{\circ}$. Assuming that the main shell is an ellipsoidal shell with $a \simeq$16$''$ and $b \simeq 6''$, we found the range of expansion velocity, radius, and latitude of four knots and a hot bubble. The four knots at the points in symmetrical positions are roughly aligned with the same axis of expansion of latitudes $\phi \sim \pm 34.5(\pm 0.6)^{\circ}$: One pair expands at about 35 $kms^{-1}$ close to the main ellipsoidal shell, and the other expands rapidly at about 60 $kms^{-1}$ at a distance of $r \sim 16''$. In the latitude range $\phi = $65 -- 75$^{\circ}$, the hot bubble of a relatively large structure expands rapidly with a velocity of 130 -- 150 $kms^{-1}$. Four knots and hot bubble points that expand faster than the main shell appear to have been formed by two to three eruptions at a different epoch than the primary structure formation.