The ultraviolet spectrum of the planetary nebula M 3-27.

Abstract

The planetary nebula M3-27 was observed in the low-dispersion mode of the IUE satellite in the region 1150 A-3200 A. A fairly strong continuum was seen to extend down to 1150 A, superposed with a relatively small number of emission lines. A high electron density is inferred from forbidden O III but regions of lower density also exist. The ultraviolet characteristics of M3-27 are compared to those of M1-2. A carbon abundance of log C = 7.72 was estimated from the semiforbidden C III nebular line for an adopted Te = 15,000 K; no emission lines of C IV 1549 A, C II 2326 A, or He II 1640 A were detected. Based on the UV observations, M3-27 would be classified as of slightly lower excitation class than M1-2 or IC 4997.