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HKU astronomers develop a new method to estimate more accurate distances between “planetary nebulae” and the Earth

24 Nov 2015

A way of estimating more accurate distances to the thousands of so-called “planetary nebulae” dispersed across our Galaxy has just been announced by a team of three astronomers based at the University of Hong Kong (HKU). Dr David Frew, Professor Quentin Parker and Dr Ivan Bojicic, based on a culmination of ten years of research work, developed a new method for measuring more accurate distances between “planetary nebulae” and the Earth.  With this technique, “planetary nebulae” finally get a more meaningful physical presence. The scientists have published their results in the latest Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.

Ghostly and beautiful “planetary nebulae” have nothing to do with planets but acquired this name because these glowing spheres of ionized gas resembled planets to early observers. They are the colourful, ejected shrouds of dying stars, which offer a brief window into the history of many stars’ lives, including that of our Sun. Their stunning shapes make them popular with the wider public, but a full exploitation of their scientific potential has been blunted by poor distance determinations for them. This latest research by HKU astronomers promises a new era in our ability to study and understand this fascinating if brief period in the final stages of the lives of low- and mid-mass stars.

Members of the media are cordially invited to a press briefing on the research findings. Below please find the details:
Date: November 26, 2015 (this Thursday)
Time: 11:00 to 12:15
Venue: Room 701, Knowles Building, HKU Main Campus

Speakers:
Dr David Frew, Research Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, HKU
Professor Quentin Parker, Head of Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, HKU

Media contacts
Ms Rhea Leung, Communication and Public Affairs Office, HKU (Tel: +852 2857 8555/ +852 9022 7446; email: rhea.leung@hku.hk)

Ms Cindy Chan, Faculty of Science, HKU (Tel: +852 3917 5286/ +852 6703 0212; email: cindycst@hku.hk)