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| Paper: |
Age Distribution of AGB Stars and Central Stars of Planetary
Nebulae |
| Volume: |
445, Why Galaxies Care about AGB Stars II: Shining Examples and Common Inhabitants |
| Page: |
343 |
| Authors: |
Maciel, W. J.; Costa, R. D. D.; Idiart, T. E. P. |
| Abstract: |
We discuss three methods to estimate the age distribution of central
stars of planetary nebulae (CSPN) and their progenitor stars. These
methods include the use of an age–metallicity relation that also
depends on the galactocentric distance, an age–metallicity relation
for the Galactic disk, and the determination of ages from the central
star masses obtained from the observed nitrogen abundances. We conclude
that most CSPN in the Galactic disk have ages under 6 Gyr, and their age
distribution is peaked around 2–4 Gyr. These results have been
successfully compared with the age distributions of white dwarf stars
based on their mass distribution, and on available mass determinations
of CSPN. |
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