NGC 6302: high-ionization permitted lines. Applying X-SSN synthesis to VLT-UVES spectra

Abstract

A preliminary VLT-UVES spectrum of NGC 6302 (Casassus et al. 2002, MN), which hosts one of the hottest PN nuclei known (Teff ~ 220000 K; Wright et al. 2011, MN), has been recently analysed by means of X-SSN, a spectrum synthesis code for nebulae (Morisset and Péquignot). Permitted recombination lines from highly-ionized species are detected/identified for the first time in a PN, and some of them probably for the first time in (Astro)Physics. The need for a homogeneous, high signal-to-noise UVES spectrum for NGC 6302 is advocated.

Poster contribution (2 pages, 1 figure) to IAU Symposium 283: "Planetary Nebulae: An Eye to the Future" held in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife, Spain in July 25th-29th 2011