PLANETARY NEBULAE

Abstract

This project compares two planetary nebulae (NGC 1514 and NGC 40) and studies the difference between them in their chemical composition. Observations of the two planetary nebulae were done at Clanfield Observatory with the 24-inch Ritchey-Chrétien telescope. This project found that both planetary nebulae have a similar nebula spectrum but a different central star spectrum. The NGC 1514 central star is a type ‘DA white dwarf’. While the NGC 40 central star is a type ‘DQ white dwarf’. The different classes of white dwarfs could be a result of AGB thermal pulsations or superwind phases.