Continuum emission has been detected at millimetre and submillimetre wavelengths from a total of thirteen planetary nebulae, all but one for the first time. The observations were obtained with the liquid 3He–cooled UKT14 bolometer on the JCMT and UKIRT telescopes on Mauna Kea, Hawaii.

There is much direct and indirect evidence for the presence of dust in Planetary Nebulae (PN): variations in extinction across the face of the nebulae; IR emission with strong 25 and 60μm fluxes; broad near-IR emission lines of Silicate, SiC and PAH grains; optically thick lines, such as [C IV]1550Å, have lower strength on account of the increased path length due to dust scattering; a centro-symmetric pattern of polarization vectors in a few PN (Leroy et al., A&A, 160, 171, 1986). An observational programme has begun to study the polarization profiles of bright emission lines in PN arising from dust scattering within the nebulae. The first results are discussed.

We present abundance determinations, in particular of carbon, and C/O ratios, for 11 Galactic bulge planetary nebulae (PN) based on our low resolution UV data from IUE observations and optical spectrophotometry from the Anglo-Australian Telescope. We compare the observed abundances with those predicted by dredge-up theory for the high metallicity Galactic bulge. The sample abundances are also contrasted with the abundances found for PN in the Galactic disk. The mean C/O ratio for the bulge PN is significantly lower than that found for Galactic disk PN. Further, we present an abundance analysis of the very metal-poor bulge PN M2-29. From an analysis of the differential extinction found from the observed ratios of the He ii 1640,4686Å lines, we find that the ultraviolet reddening law towards the bulge is steeper than in the solar neighbourhood.

Abell 78 is one of a group of planetaries having an old, H–rich nebula surrounding a hot star which has more recently ejected highly–processed, H–deficient material. The A78 central star has O VI emission lines and a 3700 km s−1 hot wind, and is surrounded by knots of very dusty, H-deficient material. These objects are thought to have suffered a late helium shell flash which resulted in the central star (then a white dwarf) returning to the AGB and ejecting highly-processed material.

Developments in the measurement of abundances in planetary nebulae since IAU Symposium 131 are reviewed. Present uncertainties and outstanding problems in the interpretation of emission-line measurements are discussed. Results for different samples of PN are reviewed, in terms of the galactic site. Results for the Galactic disk, Galactic Bulge, Galactic Halo, LMC & SMC, Fornax Dwarf galaxy and M31 are discussed. Attention is drawn to the importance of Magellanic Cloud samples for testing dredge-up theory, and to the strong variation of PN C/O ratios with the local site's metallicity and age. New results for carbon in Cloud PNs are presented. Important problems in the interpretation of the metallicity of Bulge PNs are highlighted. Attention is drawn to the idea that metal-rich stellar populations do not produce PNs, such stars leaving the lower AGB early.

We present recent results from a “search and mapping” program of molecular line emission (mainly CO) from remnant AGB envelopes around planetary nebulae (PNe), using the SEST (La Silla, Chile). New detections in CO J=2−1 include NGC2899 (0.02K), NGC6369 (0.14K) & NGC7009 (0.08K). In many of the detected PNe, notably NGC3132, IC4406, NGC6302, M1-16, and CPD-56°8032, the molecular envelopes contain 2 kinematically distinct outflows. Mapping of the strongest of these shows (1) that the fast (e.g. Vexp≳40–60 km s−1 in NGC3132, IC4406) outflows have bipolar spatial structure, and (2) there exists an equatorial density enhancement in the slower, more massive [· (M⊙yr−1)>5 10−6(NGC3132), >2 10−5(IC4406)] outflows, which presumably collimates the fast outflow (e.g. Sahai et al. 1990, A & A, 234, L1; Sahai et al. 1992, A & A, 251, 560). The fractional CO abundance in the envelope, f(CO), is probably rather low (<10−4), as a result of photodissociation by the stellar and interstellar UV radiation [e.g. f(CO)≲10−5 in IC4406]. HCN, HCO+, and 13CO have also been detected in several PNe, and sensitive upper limits set on CS, C18O, & C17O (in M1-16), and SO (in NGC3132). Some results are tabulated below, and calculations to estimate the molecular masses, mass-loss rates and molecular abundances are in progress.

It is not really known how low and intermediate mass stars eject mass to form PNs. We present preliminary results from a programme of near–IR imaging, in which we study a sequence of objects, from extreme AGB stars through proto–planetaries to young, compact PNs. We aim to study the sequence of morphologies, to see where the onset of bipolar shaping occurs, and to use the IR molecular hydrogen lines to map neutral regions around ionized nebulae.

We present images and high–resolution spectra of the hydrogen deficient knot at the centre of the old planetary nebula A58. The spectra confirm that this region contains essentially no hydrogen, as previously suspected. Emission lines from the knot are broad (FWHM ∼ 180 and 270 km/s for [NII] and [OIII] lines respectively) and are blue–shifted by ∼100 km/s relative to the systematic velocity.

An analysis of the differential ultraviolet extinction towards four bulge planetary nebulae, based on the observed line ratio of He II 1640/4686Å, shows that the ultraviolet reddening law towards the bulge is much steeper than in the solar neighbourhood. An analysis of the optical reddening law for 42 bulge PN, based upon observed Balmer line ratios and Hβ to radio free-free flux ratios, is presented. The optical reddening law towards the bulge is steeper than in the local ISM, and thus the ratio of total to selective extinction, Rv = 2.29 (± 0.50), is lower than the standard solar neighbourhood value of Rv = 3.10.

We present abundance determinations, in particular C/H and C/O ratios, for 11 Galactic bulge PN, based on spectrophotometry in the UV from IUE and in the optical from the Anglo-Australian Telescope. The derived abundances are compared with values for PN in the Galactic disk. The mean C/O ratio for bulge PN is significantly lower than that found for Galactic disk PNs. Additionally we present an abundance analysis of the very metal-poor halo population PN M2-29, which is located in the bulge.

We present the results of a spectroscopic study of planetary nebulae (PN) in the Magellanic Clouds. The optical survey of He, N, O, and Ne abundances by Monk et al. (1988) has been updated by higher S/N AAT optical data. In addition, carbon and other elemental abundances have been derived from the IUE spectra of 40 PN. Ionized nebular masses have been derived for 80 PN. The ionised mass versus nebular electron density plot shows that planetary nebulae become optically thin when their electron densities drop below 4500 cm−3. Below this density, the mean nebular hydrogen mass found for non-Type I PN is 0.22±0.08 M⊙. Using Zanstra and energy-balance methods, the mean central star mass found for 14 SMC and LMC PN is 0.59±0.02 M⊙.

We present the results of a spectroscopic study of planetary nebulae (PN) in the Magellanic Clouds. The optical survey of He, N, O, and Ne abundances by Monk et al. (1988) has been updated by higher S/N AAT optical data. In addition, carbon and other elemental abundances have been derived from the IUE spectra of 38 PN. Ionized nebular masses have been derived for 80 PN. The ionised mass versus nebular electron density plot shows that planetary nebulae become optically thin when their electron densities drop below 4500 cm--3. Below this density, the mean nebular hydrogen mass found for non-Type I PN is 0.22±0.08 M⊙. Using Zanstra and energy-balance methods, the mean central star mass found for 14 SMC and LMC PN is 0.59±0.02 M⊙.

New collision strengths, from a 19-state quantum calculation for He I, are used to derive revised He/H ratios in planetary nebulae (PN). Empirical formulae are given, for the correction of He I recombination line fluxes for collisional effects, and for the calculation of the population of metastable helium (He I 23S) in gaseous nebulae. The revised He abundances for PN, for four samples of published line fluxes, show a mean ratio He/H = 0.100 ±0.007 if nebulae with neutral He and Type I PN are excluded. The mean reduction due to collisional effects is only 10% for Galactic PN. It is shown that the hypothesis, that He/H should be independent of nebular temperature and density, is better satisfied when collisional effects are allowed for. The new He abundances indicate that there is very little He enrichment in Galactic PN of Types II, III, and IV, and that the enhancement of Type I PN in He over H II regions is reduced from earlier values by one third.

Many positions in the planetary nebulae NGC 2346 and NGC 7293 have been searched for CO (J = 1-0) and HCN (J = 1-0) emission. The beam was 15 arcsec at 115 GHz.

Models of the dust grains in the planetary nebula NGC 3918 are presented. The models, which are calculated for four grain materials -graphite, amorphous carbon, silicate, and iron- have a size distribution of particles based on that found for the diffuse interstellar medium. The infrared spectrum of the nebula -described mainly by IRAS photometry corrected for line emission- can be matched either with graphite grains with a size range of 0.04 - 0.30 μm, or with amorphous carbon grains having a size range 0.0005 - 0.25 μm. The implied depletions of gas phase carbon are only 11% and 4%, respectively. It is shown that iron grains cannot be the dominant dust material.

Two-dimensional long slit AAT IPCS spectra of IC 418 (in the 3400–4400 A wavelength region) show faint extensions in the [O II] 3726, 3729 A and Hγ emission lines out to at least 60 arcsec south and 50 arcsec north of the central star, compared to the angular radius of only 6 arcsec for the bright nebula.

Good progress has been made since the last Symposium on the determination of planetary nebulae (PN) abundances. Notable features for modern abundance determinations include the availability of good collision strengths and transition probabilities (reviewed by C. Mendoza (1983) at the last meeting - IAU Symp.103), the use of the IUE & IRAS satellites to obtain UV & IR line fluxes, and the availability of modern sensitive detectors enabling measurements both of faint extra galactic nebulae and of very weak abundance-indicator lines in nearby bright nebulae. The impact of IUE on PN studies was described by Köppen & Aller (1987).

We have observed the large, faint halos around NGC 6543 and NGC 6826 with the Isaac Newton Telescope, using IPCS and CCD (2-dimensional) detectors. Line intensities are measured every 1.5 arcsec over a total slit length of 3 arcmin (IPCS) or 2 arcmin (CCD). Several slit positions across the halos were observed, so as to obtain average properties of these two regions. Halo spectra are compared with spectra of the bright core, so as to distinguish between reflection by dust and genuine thermal emission; the halos are not reflection nebulae.

A spectrophotometric survey has been made for about 20 central stars of planetary nebulae, with emphasis mainly on hot stars. We use low-resolution IUE spectra, observed by ourselves or obtained from Data Center, together with, in some cases, results from optical observations. Data have been extracted and merged, regions of saturation eliminated, ITF errors corrected and nebular continua subtracted. Careful assessments have been made of reddening constants, and of data used to calculate Zanstra temperatures.

The planetary nebula NGC 40 has a WC8 central star. From analysis of IUE spectra of the star, Benvenuti, Perinotto and Willis (1981, IAU Symposium 99) obtain the remarkable abundance ratio C/He ~ 0.2 and probably no hydrogen. The question arises as to whether the nebular shell has abnormal abundances.

The observed molecular column-densities in IRC +10216 can be matched by chemical-equilibrium calculations for T∼1250°K, P∼100 dyn cm-2 and no graphite grain formation. Condensation of silicon carbide into grains may explain the low observed abundances of SiO and SiS.