Violent mass ejection by the progenitors of the brightest planetary nebulae: supernova progenitors

TL;DR

This paper investigates the violent binary interactions that shape the brightest planetary nebulae in the Milky Way, suggesting some may be progenitors of type Ia supernovae due to their complex morphologies.

Contribution

It introduces the idea that violent binary interactions, including mergers and common envelope phases, are responsible for the morphology of the brightest planetary nebulae and links some to supernova progenitors.

Findings

Brightest PNe have multipolar morphologies shaped by multiple jet episodes.

Violent binary interactions are key in forming these nebulae.

Some of these systems may evolve into type Ia supernovae.

Abstract

I examine the morphologies of the brightest planetary nebulae (PNe) in the Milky Way Galaxy and conclude that violent binary interaction processes eject the main nebulae of the brightest PNe. The typical morphologies of the brightest PNe are multipolar, namely have been shaped by two or more major jet-launching episodes at varying directions, and possess small to medium departures from pure point symmetry. I discuss some scenarios, including a rapid onset of a common envelope interaction and the merger of the companion, mainly a white dwarf, with the asymptotic giant branch core at the termination of the common envelope. Some of these might be progenitors of type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia), as I suggest for SNR G1.9+0.3, the youngest SN Ia in the Galaxy.