Detailed studies of IPHAS sources - II. Sab 19, a true planetary nebula and its mimic crossing the Perseus Arm

Abstract

The INT Photometric Hα Survey (IPHAS) has provided us with a number of new emission-line sources, among which planetary nebulae (PNe) constitute an important fraction. Here we present a detailed analysis of the IPHAS nebula Sab 19 (IPHASX J055242.8+262116) based on radio, infrared, and optical images and intermediate- and high-dispersion long-slit spectra. Sab 19 consists of a roundish 0.10 pc in radius double-shell nebula surrounded by a much larger 2.8 pc in radius external shell with a prominent H-shaped filament. We confirm the nature of the main nebula as a PN whose sub-solar N/O ratio abundances, low ionized mass, peculiar radial velocity, and low-mass central star allow us to catalogue it as a Type III PN. Apparently, the progenitor star of Sab 19 became a PN when crossing the Perseus Arm during a brief visit of a few Myr. The higher N/O ratio and velocity shift ≃ 40 km s^-1 of the external shell with respect to the main nebula and its large ionized mass suggest that it is not truly associated with Sab 19, but it is rather dominated by a Strömgren zone in the interstellar medium ionized by the PN central star.