Peculiar Central Stars and Related Objects

Extract

Results are presented of a spectroscopic survey of sixteen peculiar central stars (i.e., central stars which have absorption spectra and continuua which are too cool to account for the superimposed emission line spectrum). Classifications on the MK system are presented for the absorption spectra. Intensities relative to H are presented for some of the strongest emission lines. The relationships between peculiar central stars and other types of emission line objects such as Be stars, symbiotic stars and P Cygni stars will be discussed. Three interpretations for peculiar central stars will be considered: 1) Some of them are binary nuclei of planetary nebulae, 2) Some of them are manifestations of the protoplanetary nebula phase, 3) Some of them are not related to planetary nebulae. (Paper will appear in Astronomy and Astrophysics.)