Study of the Galactic Bulge Using New Planetary Nebulae Discovered on the AAO/UKST Hα Survey

Abstract

The AAO/UKST Halpha survey is revealing a substantial new population of Planetary Nebulae (PNe) over the southern Galactic Plane including ~550 in the Bulge. Such objects are excellent tracers for Bulge dynamical studies, are less affected by metallicity bias and have strong emission lines facilitating accurate velocities. We present preliminary results on plans to exploit these significant new Bulge PNe. Until now the relatively small numbers previously known has limited their potential as tracers of galactic structure and as windows to stellar evolution in the critical phase between PNe and White Dwarf (e.g. Zijlstra et al. 1997; Durand et al. 1996, 1998; Beaulieu et al. 1999).