The H-alpha surface brightness - radius plane as a diagnostic for stellar ejecta

David Frew

The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

The H-alpha surface brightness - radius (S-r) relation has proven to be a robust distance indicator for planetary nebulae (Frew et al. 2015). Different populations of planetary nebulae plot on distinct loci on the S-r plane. Other types of ionised nebulae also plot in distinct regions in S-r space. These include HII regions, symbiotic outflows, and nebulae associated with CVs. In particular, the stellar ejecta around massive LBV and [WN] stars plot on a tight locus in S-r space with the potential to act as a separate distance indicator for these objects. As high-resolution, narrowband surveys of the nearest galaxies become more commonplace, we discuss the potential of the S-r plane as a diagnostic tool to help identify ionised nebulae in these systems.

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