Myfanwy Bryce

The kinematics of the planetary nebula BD+30°3639

In this paper we describe the results of the first optical kinematic study of the planetary nebula BD+30°3639. This system has a central star of the Wolf–Rayet type and is believed to be fairly young. Emission-line spectra were obtained at high spectral and spatial resolution using the Utrecht echelle spectrometer at the William Herschel Telescope. These spectra indicate that the main ionized shell of BD+30°3639 appears to be evolving in a more complex way than previously thought.

Postgrads fight back

Tony Hughes states (November, Letters p17) that the SERC postgraduate studentship stipend has increased by a total of £1000 per annum since October 1989. He means, of course, that the stipend has risen by a total of £1000 over the two years from October 1989, not £2000. This increase is almost entirely consumed by the governments removal of housing benefit (about £10 per week in a £30 per week house – if you can find one that cheap) and inflation.