Harm J. Habing

Henny J.G.L.M. Lamers

Planetary nebulae present a fascinating range of shapes and morphologies. They are ideal laboratories for the study of different astrophysical processes: atomic physics, radiative transfer, stellar winds, shocks, wind-wind interaction, and the interaction between stellar winds and the interstellar medium. In addition, planetary nebulae provide information about the late stages of stellar evolution. In the last five years studies of planetary nebulae have progressed very rapidly and new phenomena and insights have been gained. This is partly due to new observations (e.g. from the Hubble Space Telescope, the ISO satellite and new infrared and millimeter spectrographs) and partly to the advancement of hydrodynamic simulations of the structures of planetary nebulae (PN). Many of these new results were reported at IAU Symposium 180 in Groningen, the Netherlands, on August 26 to 30, 1996. This symposium was dedicated to one of the pioneers of PN research: Stuart Pottasch. These proceedings contain chapters on: Introduction to PN with the basic parameters Distances of PN The central stars of PN The envelopes of PN The evolution from AGB to PN The evolution from PN to white dwarfs PN in the galactic context PN in extragalactic systems The future of PN research . The book contains 29 reviews and more than 200 shorter contributions.

Proceedings of the 180th Symposium of the International Astronomical Union, Held in Groningen, The Netherlands, August, 26–30, 1996

Planetary Nebulae

Anthony F.J. Moffat

Kris Davidson

A strange field of speculation is opened by this phenomenon ... here we have a star fitfully variable to an astonishing extent. and whose fluctuations are spread over centuries. apparently in no settled period. and with no regularity of progression. What origin can we ascribe to these sudden flashes and relapses? What conclusions are we to draw as to the comfort or habitability of a system depending for its supply of light and heat on so uncertain a source? -- J. F. W. Herschel! We can imagine, at least, that the study of Luminous Blue Variable stars began as the official court astrophysicists of Eridu speculated about a new 5000 years ago first-magnitude star which persisted in their southern sky for several years.2 After that the topic languished for a while, but now it has been renewed following recent observations by Blaeu (P Cygni, c.1600) and Herschel (1] Argus, c.1840) ... -- More soberly, it is only within the past few years that we have begun to understand LBV's and to recognize their coherence as a class. Thus only a minority of astronomers are familiar yet with this relatively new topic, whose potential impli cations are of great interest (see below). One purpose of this book, we hope, will be to provide an accessible overview of the subject for interested astronomers and astrophysicists in general.

Henny J.G.L.M. Lamers

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