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| Paper: |
LMC-N66: A Potential SN Ia Progenitor? |
| Volume: |
334, 14th European Workshop on White Dwarfs |
| Page: |
345 |
| Authors: |
Hamann, W.-R.; Pena, M.; Graefener, G. |
| Abstract: |
The planetary nebula N66 in the Large Magellanic Cloud is an exceptional object, as its central star has a Wolf-Rayet type spectrum of the nitrogen sequence ([WN]). Moreover, the star showed a dramatic brightness outburst in 1993-1994. We analyzed the changing stellar spectra and found evidence that the central star is most likely a binary system where a white dwarf accretes matter from a non-degenerate companion at a high rate. We also studied the morphology and kinematic of the nebula. Its complex multipolar structure can be explained as result of episodic bipolar ejections from a precessing source, giving further evidence for the binary nature of the central object. Due to the high rate of mass transfer, the object is a candidate for a future type Ia supernova in our cosmic neighborhood. |
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