arXiv · astro-ph/0305331
A Compact X-ray Source and Possible X-ray Jets within the Planetary Nebula Menzel 3
Abstract
We report the discovery, by the Chandra X-ray Observatory, of X-ray emission from the bipolar planetary nebula Menzel 3. In Chandra CCD imaging, Mz 3 displays hot (3-6x10^6 K) gas within its twin, coaxial bubbles of optical nebulosity, as well as a compact X-ray source at the position of its central star(s). The brightest diffuse X-ray emission lies along the polar axis of the optical nebula, suggesting a jet-like configuration. The observed combination of an X-ray-emitting point source and possible X-ray jet(s) is consistent with models in which accretion disks and, potentially, magnetic fields shape bipolar planetary nebulae via the generation of fast, collimated outflows.
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Joel H. Kastner, Bruce Balick, Eric G. Blackman, Adam Frank, Noam Soker, Saeqa D. Vrtilek, Jingqiang Li. 2003-05-19. A Compact X-ray Source and Possible X-ray Jets within the Planetary Nebula Menzel 3. https://doi.org/10.1086/376979
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