Extended X-Ray Emission from the Planetary Nebula BD +30°3639

Abstract

We report the discovery of extended X-ray emission from the planetary nebula BD +30^deg3639. Analysis of the ROSAT HRI image shows clearly that BD +30^deg3639 has extended X-ray emission which is well fitted with a Gaussian source of σ=1.7"-2.8" (95.4% confidence interval). This size is consistent with being the same as that of the optical nebula as imaged by the Hubble Space Telescope. BD +30^deg3639 therefore represents the best case for the detection of a shocked-stellar-wind bubble in planetary nebulae.