Herschel imaging of the dust in the Helix nebula (NGC 7293)

• Aims. In our series of papers presenting the Herschel imaging of evolved planetary nebulae, we present images of the dust distribution in the Helix nebula (NGC 7293). Methods. Images at 70, 160, 250, 350, and 500 mu m were obtained with the PACS and SPIRE instruments on board the Herschel satellite. Results. The broadband maps show the dust distribution over the main Helix nebula to be u npy and predominantly present in the barrel wall. We determined the spectral energy distribution of the main nebula in a consistent way using Herschel. IRAS. and Planck flux values, The emissivity index of beta = 0.99 +/- 0.09, in combination with the carbon rich molecular chemistry of the nebula, indicates that the dust consists mainly of amorphous carbon. The dust excess emission from the central star disk is detected at 70 pm and the flux measurement agrees with previous measurement. We present the temperature and dust column density maps. The total dust mass across the Helix nebula (without its halo) is determined to be 3.5 x 10(-3) M-circle dot at a distance of 216 pc. The temperature map shows dust temperatures between 22 K and 42 K, which is similar to the kinetic temperature of the molecular gas, confirming that the dust and gas co exist in high density clumps. Archived images are used to compare the location of the dust emission in the far infrared (Herschel) with the ionized (GALEX and H-beta) and molecular (H-2) component. The different emission components are consistent with the Helix consisting of a thick walled barrel-like structure inclined to the line of sight. The radiation field decreases rapidly through the barrel wall.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Astronomi, astrofysik och kosmologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

planetary nebulae: individual: NGC 7293

infrared: ISM

circumstellar matter

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)