L. Sabin

The second data release of the INT Photometric Hα Survey of the Northern Galactic Plane (IPHAS DR2)

The INT/WFC Photometric Hα Survey of the Northern Galactic Plane (IPHAS) is a 1800 deg2 imaging survey covering Galactic latitudes |b| < 5° and longitudes l = 30°–215° in the r, i, and Hα filters using the Wide Field Camera (WFC) on the 2.5-m Isaac Newton Telescope (INT) in La Palma. We present the first quality-controlled and globally calibrated source catalogue derived from the survey, providing single-epoch photometry for 219 million unique sources across 92 per cent of the footprint. The observations were carried out between 2003 and 2012 at a median seeing of 1.1 arcsec (sampled at 0.33 arcsec pixel−1) and to a mean 5σ depth of 21.2 (r), 20.0 (i), and 20.3 (Hα) in the Vega magnitude system. We explain the data reduction and quality control procedures, describe and test the global re-calibration, and detail the construction of the new catalogue. We show that the new calibration is accurate to 0.03 mag (root mean square) and recommend a series of quality criteria to select accurate data from the catalogue. Finally, we demonstrate the ability of the catalogues unique (r − Hα,u2009r − i) diagram to (i) characterize stellar populations and extinction regimes towards different Galactic sightlines and (ii) select and quantify Hα emission-line objects. IPHAS is the first survey to offer comprehensive CCD photometry of point sources across the Galactic plane at visible wavelengths, providing the much-needed counterpart to recent infrared surveys.

First release of the IPHAS catalogue of new extended planetary nebulae

We present the first results of our search for new, extended planetary nebulae (PNe) based on careful, systematic, visual scrutiny of the imaging data from the Isaac Newton Telescope Photometric Hα Survey of the Northern Galactic plane (IPHAS). The newly uncovered PNe will help to improve the census of this important population of Galactic objects that serve as key windows into the late-stage evolution of low- to intermediate-mass stars. They will also facilitate study of the faint end of the ensemble Galactic PN luminosity function. The sensitivity and coverage of IPHAS allows PNe to be found in regions of greater extinction in the Galactic plane and/or those PNe in a more advanced evolutionary state and at larger distances compared to the general Galactic PN population. Using a set of newly revised optical diagnostic diagrams in combination with access to a powerful, new, multiwavelength imaging data base, we have identified 159 true, likely and possible PNe for this first catalogue release. The ability of IPHAS to unveil PNe at low Galactic latitudes and towards the Galactic Anticentre, compared to previous surveys, makes this survey an ideal tool to contribute to the improvement of our knowledge of the whole Galactic PN population.

Discovery of planetary nebulae using predictive mid-infrared diagnostics

We demonstrate a newly developed mid-infrared (MIR) planetary nebula (PN) selection technique. It is designed to enable ecient searches for obscured, previously unknown, PN candidates present in the photometric source catalogues of Galactic plane MIR sky surveys. Such selection is now possible via new, sensitive, high-to-medium resolution, MIR satellite surveys such as those from the Spitzer Space Telescope and the all-sky Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) satellite missions. MIR selection is based on how dierent colour-colour planes isolate zones (sometimes overlapping) that are predominately occupied by dierent astrophysical object types. These techniques depend on the reliability of the available MIR source photometry. In this pilot study we concentrate on MIR point source detections and show that it is dangerous to take the MIR GLIMPSE (Galactic Legacy Infrared Mid-Plane Survey Extraordinaire) photometry from Spitzer for each candidate at face value without examining the actual MIR image data. About half of our selected sources are spurious detections due to the applied source detection algorithms being aected

Submillimetre polarization and magnetic field properties in the envelopes of protoplanetary nebulae CRL 618 and OH 231.8+4.2

We have carried out continuum and line polarisation observations of two Proto-planetary nebulae (PPNe), CRL 618 and OH 231.8+4.2, using the Submillimeter Array (SMA) in its compact configuration. The frequency range of observations, 330-345 GHz, includes the CO(J=3-2) line emission. CRL 618 and OH 231.8+4.2 show quadrupolar and bipolar optical lobes, respectively, surrounded by a dusty envelope reminiscent of their AGB phase. We report a detection of dust continuum polarised emission in both PPNe above 4 sigma but no molecular line polarisation detection above a 3 sigma limit. OH 231.8+4.2 is slightly more polarised on average than CRL 618 with a mean fractional polarisation of 4.3 and 0.3 per cent, respectively. This agrees with the previous finding that silicate dust shows higher polarisation than carbonaceous dust. In both objects, an anti-correlation between the fractional polarisation and the intensity is observed. Neither PPNe show a well defined toroidal equatorial field, rather the field is generally well aligned and organised along the polar direction. This is clearly seen in CRL 618 while in the case of OH 231.8+4.2, the geometry indicates an X-shaped structure coinciding overall with a dipole/polar configuration. However in the later case, the presence of a fragmented and weak toroidal field should not be discarded. Finally, in both PPNe, we observed that the well organised magnetic field is parallel with the major axis of the 12CO outflow. This alignment could indicate the presence of a magnetic outflow launching mechanism. Based on our new high resolution data we propose two scenarios to explain the evolution of the magnetic field in evolved stars.

Spatio-kinematic modelling of Abell 65, a double-shelled planetary nebula with a binary central star

We present the first detailed spatio-kinematical analysis and modelling of the planetary nebula Abell 65, which is known to host a post-common envelope, binary, central star system. As such, this object is of great interest in studying the link between nebular morphology and central star binarity. [Ou2009III]5007u2009A and Hα+[Nu2009II]6584u2009A longslit spectra and imagery of Abell 65 were obtained with the Manchester Echelle Spectrometer on the 2.1-m telescope at the San Pedro Martir Observatory (MES-SPM). Further [Ou2009III]5007u2009A longslit spectra were obtained with the Ultraviolet and Visual Echelle Spectrograph on the Very Large Telescope (VLT-UVES). These data were used to develop a spatio-kinematical model for the [Ou2009III]5007u2009A emission from Abell 65. A ‘best-fitting’ model was found by comparing synthetic spectra and images rendered from the model to the data. The model comprises an outer shell and an inner shell, with kinematical ages of 15000 ± 5000 yr kpc−1 and 8000 ± 3000 yr kpc−1, respectively. Both shells have peanut-shaped bipolar structures with symmetry axes at inclinations of (55 ± 10)° (to the line of sight) for the outer shell and (68 ± 10)° for the inner shell. The near alignment between the nebular shells and the binary orbital inclination [of (68 ± 2)°] is strongly indicative that the binary is responsible for shaping the nebula. Abell 65 is one of a growing number of planetary nebulae (seven to date, including Abell 65 itself) for which observations and modelling support the shaping influence of a central binary.

First detection of surface magnetic fields in post-AGB stars: the cases of U Monocerotis and R Scuti

While several observational investigations have revealed the presence of magnetic fields in the circumstellar envelopes, jets and outflows of post-Asymptotic Giant Branch stars (PAGBs) and planetary nebulae (PNe), none has clearly demonstrated their presence at the stellar surface. The lack of information on the strength of the surface magnetic fields prevents us from performing any thorough assessment of their dynamic capability (i.e. material mixing, envelope shaping, etc). We present new high resolution spectropolarimetric (Stokes V ) observations of a sample of PAGB stars, realised with the instruments ESPaDOnS and Narval, where we searched for the presence of photospheric magnetic fields. Out of the seven targets investigated the RV Tauri stars U Mon and R Sct display a clear Zeeman signature and return a definite detection after performing a least squares deconvolution (LSD) analysis. The remaining five PAGBs show no significant detection. We derived longitudinal magnetic fields of 10.2 +/- 1.7 G for U Mon and 0.6 +/- 0.6 G for R Sct. In both cases the Stokes profiles point towards an interaction of the magnetic field with the atmosphere dynamics. This first discovery of weak magnetic fields (i.e. ~10 gauss level) at the stellar surface of PAGB stars opens the door to a better understanding of magnetism in evolved stars.

First results of an Hα based search of classical Be stars in the Perseus Arm and beyond

We investigate a region of the Galactic plane, between 120 6 ‘ 6 140 and 1 6 b 6 +4 , and uncover a population of moderately reddened(E(B V) 1) classical Be stars within and beyond the Perseus and Outer Arms. 370 candidate emission line stars (13 . r . 16) selected from the INT Photometric Ha Survey of the Northern Galactic plane (IPHAS) have been followed up spectroscopically. A subset of these, 67 stars with properties consistent with those of classical Be stars, have been observed at sufficient spectral resolution (Dl 2 ‐ 4 ˚ A) at blue wavelengths to narrow down their spectral types. We determine these to a precision estimated to be 1 sub-type and then we measure reddenings via SED fitting with reference to appropriate model atmospheres. Corrections for contribution to colour excess from circumstellar discs are made using an established scaling to Ha emission equivalent width. Spectroscopic parallaxes are obtained after luminosity class has been constrained via estimates of distances to neighbouring A/F stars with similar reddenings. Overwhelmingly, the stars in the sample are confirmed as luminous classical Be stars at heliocentric distances ranging from 2 kpc up to 12 kpc. However, the errors are presently too large to enable the cumulative distribution function with respect to distance to distinguish between models placing the stars exclusively in spiral arms, or in a smooth exponentially-declining distribution.

Millimetre polarization of the protoplanetary nebula OH 231.8+4.2: a follow-up study with CARMA

In order to investigate the characteristics and influence of the magnetic field in evolved stars, we performed a follow-up investigation of our previous submillimeter analysis of the proto-planetary nebula (PPN) OH 231.8+4.2 (Sabin et al. 2014), this time at 1.3 mm with the CARMA facility in polarisation mode for the purpose of a multi-scale analysis. OH 231.8+4.2 was observed at �2.5 ′′ resolution and we detected polarised emission above the 3σ threshold (with a mean polarisation fraction of 3.5%). The polarisation map indicates an overall organised magnetic field within the nebula. The main finding i n this paper is the presence of a structure mostly compatible with an ordered toroidal component that is aligned with the PPN’s dark lane. We also present some alternative magnetic fi eld configuration to explain the structure observed. These data complete our previous SMA submillimeter data for a better investigation and understanding of the magnetic field struc ture in OH 231.8+4.2.