On near Chandrasekhar mass central stars of planetary nebulae

Free access article

Issue		A&A Volume 451, Number 3, June I 2006


Page(s)		L27 - L30
Section		Letters
DOI		http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361:20065103

A&A 451, L27-L30 (2006)
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361:20065103

Letter

On near Chandrasekhar mass central stars of planetary nebulae

R. Napiwotzki

Centre for Astrophysics Research, STRI, University of Hertfordshire, College Lane, Hatfield AL10 9AB, UK
e-mail: rn@star.herts.ac.uk

(Received 27 February 2006 / Accepted 3 March 2006)

Abstract
Aims.A recent spectroscopic analysis of central stars of planetary nebulae (CSPNe) claims that the sample studied includes five CSPNe with masses very close to the Chandrasekhar limit of white dwarfs. This claim is tested using available kinematical and chemical abundance information.
Methods.Kinematical parameters are extracted from Galactic orbits and compared with parameters expected for populations of different ages. The chemistry of the nebulae is compared with average values for different types.
Results.The reported high masses are not supported by our investigation. The claimed high central star masses are in contradiction with all other evidence. A more consistent picture emerges if CSPN masses close to the peak of the white dwarf mass distribution are assumed.

Key words: planetary nebulae: general -- stars: AGB and post-AGB -- stars: fundamental parameters -- stars: kinematics

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