SCYON Abstract

Received on October 3 2011

New Results for the Open Cluster Bica 6 and its Associated Planetary Nebula Abell 8

AuthorsD.G. Turner (1,5), J.M. Rosvick (2), D.D. Balam (3), A.A. Henden (4), D.J. Majaess (1,5), and D.J. Lane (1,5)
Affiliation(1) Saint Mary's University, Halifax, NS, Canada
(2) Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, BC, Canada
(3) Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, Victoria, BC, Canada
(4) AAVSO, Cambridge, MA, USA
(5) Abbey Ridge Observatory, Stillwater Lake, NS, Canada
Accepted byPublication of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Contactturner@ap.smu.ca
URLhttp://arxiv.org/abs/1109.6006
Links Bica 6

Abstract

The likely membership of the planetary nebula Abell 8 (PN G167.0--00.9) in the open cluster Bica 6 is confirmed by CCD spectra, UBV(RI)c photometry, and radial velocities for luminous cluster stars. The reddening, estimated distance, and radial velocity of the planetary nebula agree with parameters derived for Bica 6 of E(B-V)=0.42, d=1.60+-0.11 kpc, and Vr=57+-1 km/s, with a cluster age of 1 Gyr, a diagnostic blue hook, and a few blue stragglers, including a peculiar B1 Vnn star (HDE 277593) that may be a post-AGB star. The results identify Bica 6 as a potential calibrator of the planetary nebula distance scale. The central star of the planetary nebula has a reddening of E(B-V)=0.49+-0.02, with a possible circumnebular excess, and an estimated luminosity of Mv=+7.44+-0.16. It is also an optical double in 2MASS images, with a likely progenitor according to evolutionary considerations being a late B-type dwarf of ~2.3 Msun.