Binary stars as the key to understand planetary nebulae

Authors
Dr.
Henri M. J. Boffin
Date and time
17 May 2018 - 10:30 Europe/London
Address

Aula

Talk language
English
Slides language
English
Serie number
1
Description

Binarity and mass transfer appear to play a key role in the shaping and, most likely, in the formation of planetary nebulae (PNe), thereby explaining the large fraction of axisymmetric morphologies. I present the binary hypothesis for PNe and its current status. Recent discoveries have led to a dramatic increase in the number of post-common envelope binary central stars of PNe, thereby allowing us to envisage statistical studies. Moreover, these binary systems let us study in detail the mass transfer episodes before and after the common envelope, and I present the evidences for mass transfer - and accretion - prior to the common envelope phase.