Planetary Nebula He 2-36: Still Enigmatic, But Getting Less So

Abstract

IUE spectra of He 2-36 indicate that the stellar C IV λ1549 doublet varies in intensity by a factor of 2.5 during a one-year interval. Detection of [Ne IV] λ2424, plus previously known He II and C IV, argue for a hot companion to the cool A2 III nucleus. The C IV emission shows a split profile that strongly resembles the profile (reprocessed in the NEWSIPS format) of the stellar C IV emission of NGC 2346 near phase 0.0 of its well-established 16-day period close binary nucleus. The physical cause for the bifurcation is examined. Numerous other emission lines have been identified in the IUE spectrum of He 2-36.