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[165.06] Searching for Spectroscopic Binary Nuclei of Southern Planetary Nebulae

H. E. Bond, M. Afsar (STScI)

We have used the SMARTS 1.5-m telescope and Cassegrain spectrograph since early 2003 to search for radial-velocity (RV) variations among planetary-nebula nuclei (PNNi) in the southern hemisphere. The program is a follow-up to the results obtained in the northern hemisphere by De Marco et al. (2004, ApJ, 602, L93), which indicated that a very high fraction of RV variables exists among PNNi.

Results of the RV analysis (still underway at the time of writing of this abstract) will be presented. The goal of the program is to test whether many, or even all, planetary nebulae are ejected through binary-star processes, such as common-envelope interactions.

STScI's participation in the SMARTS consortium is supported by the STScI Director's Discretionary Research Fund.

The author(s) of this abstract have provided an email address for comments about the abstract: bond@stsci.edu

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© 2004. The American Astronomical Society.