SDSO1 is a Shocked Ghost Planetary Nebula in Front of M 31

Abstract

We present new, deep narrowband imagery and discuss the nature of SDSO 1, the large [O III]-emitting nebula centered 1.5 degrees SE of M 31. We find strong evidence to support the hypothesis that SDSO 1 is unrelated to M 31 and is instead a faded, giant (D = 20 pc), ghost planetary nebula (GPN) expelled by the symbiotic WD binary star EG Andromedae. The associated 45-pc long turbulent tail, seen in projection in front of M 31, yields an estimated age of 400 kyr. The initial hypersonic velocity of 91 km/s drives a strong bow shock into the local interstellar medium and a reverse shock into the GPN. The SDSO 1 GPN has reached the terminal phase in its evolution where its outward expansion and forward motion have been decelerated greatly by ram pressure and the [O III] emission arises primarily from the reverse shock. We establish the shock-powered GPN phase as a new phase of planetary nebula (PN) evolution, and identify 24 candidate GPNe by their large size and shock-tail morphology. This includes several giant halos of younger PNe, possibly expelled by now degenerate binary companions. The interaction of an old, fast-moving GPN with the ISM generates shocks that remain visible long after the photoionized PN shell has faded below the limit of detectability.