Contents
Preface...... vii
Acknowledgements...... ix
About the Author ...... xi
Chapter 1 A Short History of Planetary Nebulae...... 1 Further Discoveries...... 1 The Nature of the Nebulae and Modern Catalogues ...... 3
Chapter 2 The Evolution of Planetary Nebulae ...... 7 The Lives of the Stars ...... 7 Stages in the Life Cycle of a Sun-like Star ...... 9 The Asymptotic Giant Branch ...... 10 Proto-Planetary Nebulae and Dust...... 12 Interactive Winds...... 13 Emissions from Planetary Nebulae...... 14 Central Stars...... 16 Planetary Envelopes ...... 17 Binary Stars and Magnetic Fields ...... 19 Lifetimes of Planetary Nebulae ...... 21 Conclusion ...... 21
Chapter 3 Observing Planetary Nebulae ...... 23 Telescopes and Mountings ...... 23 Telescope Mounts...... 26 Eyepieces...... 27 Limiting Magnitudes and Angular Resolution ...... 29 Transparency and Seeing ...... 31 Dark Adaptation and Averted Vision ...... 32 Morphology of Planetary Nebulae ...... 33 Nebular Filters ...... 35 Star Charts, Observing and Computer Programs...... 38 Observing Procedures...... 42
Chapter 4 Photographing Planetary Nebulae...... 45 Camera Equipment ...... 45 Software...... 48 Filters for Astrophotography ...... 49 Contents Shooting ...... 50 Conclusion ...... 53
xiii Chapter 5 Planetary Nebulae Catalogues ...... 55 Main Planetary Nebulae ...... 56 Additional Planetary Nebulae ...... 58
Chapter 6 Planetary Nebulae by Constellation...... 81 Andromeda...... 83 Apus...... 85 Aquarius ...... 87 Aquila ...... 90 Ara ...... 103 Auriga ...... 106 Camelopardalis ...... 108 Canis Major ...... 111 Carina ...... 113 Cassiopeia ...... 119 Centaurus ...... 123 Cepheus...... 126 Cetus ...... 129 Chameleon ...... 131 Corona Australis ...... 133 Corvus...... 135 Cygnus...... 137 Delphinus ...... 154 Draco ...... 157 Eridanus ...... 160 Fornax ...... 162 Gemini...... 164 Hercules ...... 170 Hydra...... 174 Lacerta...... 178 Leo ...... 180 Lepus ...... 182 Lupus ...... 184 Lynx ...... 190 Lyra ...... 192 Monoceros ...... 195 Musca...... 198 Norma ...... 203 Ophiuchus...... 205 Orion ...... 211 Pegasus ...... 214 Perseus...... 219 Puppis ...... 225 Pyxis...... 229 Sagitta ...... 232 Contents
xiv Sagittarius...... 236 Scorpius...... 253 Scutum ...... 258 Taurus ...... 260 Triangulum Australe ...... 262 Ursa Major ...... 266 Vela...... 268 Virgo ...... 272 Vulpecula ...... 274
Chapter 7 A Planetary Nebulae Marathon...... 277 Why Introduce Another List?...... 277 Overlaps with Other Object Lists ...... 278 Outstanding Planetaries ...... 279
References and For Further Reading...... 281
Index ...... 285 Contents
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