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Using adaptive-optics assisted MUSE observations to measure galaxy distances with the Planetary Nebula luminosity function

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 October 2025

Saskia Schlagenhauf  and
Marc Sarzi
Saskia Schlagenhauf*
Affiliation:
Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, UK Queen’s University Belfast, UK
Marc Sarzi
Affiliation:
Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, UK
*
email: saskia.schlagenhauf@armagh.ac.uk
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Abstract

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Thanks to its characteristic bright cut-off, the planetary nebulae luminosity function (PNLF) has now become a well-established extragalactic distance indicator that is in principle applicable to all types of galaxies. Most recently, several studies have demonstrated how the use of integral-field spectroscopy can lead to even more precise PNLF measurements, in particular as it allows to probe the central regions of galaxies and obtain well-sampled PNLF distributions. In this respect, adaptive optics (AO) is expected to further increase the scope and reach of PNLF measurements, as it should allow for the detection of even more and more distant PNe. This proceeding presents first results of the investigation of the MUSE-AO performance in relation to the detection of PNe in external galaxies, based on all galaxies with wide-field mode AO observations in the ESO archive.

Keywords

instrumentation: adaptive opticsplanetary nebulaegalaxies: distancesgalaxies: luminosity function

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. 83 - 88
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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 (https://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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