Abstract

RODRIGUEZ, Luis F. et al. H91α Radio Recombination Line and 3.5 cm Continuum Observations of the Planetary Nebula NGC 3242. Rev. mex. astron. astrofis [online]. 2010, vol.46, n.1, pp.29-35. ISSN 0185-1101.

We present high sensitivity H91α and 3.5 cm radio continuum observations toward the planetary nebula NGC 3242. The electron temperature determined assuming local thermodynamic equilibrium is consistent within ~10% with that derived from optical lines and the Balmer discontinuity. The line emission and the continuum emission have a very similar spatial distribution, suggesting that at this wavelength there is no other continuum process present in a significant manner. In particular, we conclude that emission from spinning dust is not important at this wavelength. In this radio recombination line the nebula presents a radial velocity structure consistent with that obtained from observations of optical lines.

Keywords : planetary nebulae: individual (NGC 3242); radiation mechanisms: thermal.

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