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Remarkable Chemical Complexity in Planetary Nebulae: A Molecule and Dust Perspective

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 October 2025

L. M. Ziurys Open the ORCID record for L. M. Ziurys [Opens in a new window]  and
D. R. Schmidt
L. M. Ziurys*
Affiliation:
Departments of Chemistry and Astronomy, The University of Arizona, USA
D. R. Schmidt
Affiliation:
Department of Physics and Astronomy, Franklin & Marshall College, USA
*
Email: lziurys@arizona.edu
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Abstract

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Despite model predictions, many planetary nebulae appear to have a relatively rich molecular content. Observational studies of over 30 such objects show the presence of a variety of gas-phase molecules, from simple species such as CN and CS, to more complex organics including H2CO, HC3N, c-C3H2, and CH3CN. Other PNe contain fullerenes; carbonaceous and silicate dust features are also found. Molecular abundances also do not appear to vary with nebular age. Remnant material from the asymptotic giant branch appears to undergo chemical processing in the protoplanetary nebula phase and then is frozen out in planetary nebulae. PN ejecta are thus in part molecular in content and may account for the observation of complex molecules in diffuse clouds.

Keywords

stars: planetary nebulaemolecular abundancesdust

Information

Type
Contributed Paper
Information
Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union , Volume 19 , Symposium S384: Planetary Nebulae: A Universal Toolbox in the Era of Precision Astrophysics , December 2023 , pp. 190 - 207
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Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution and reproduction, provided the original article is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of International Astronomical Union

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