Characterizing Low-Ionization Structures in PNe

Abstract

Fifty five planetary nebulae containing micro-structures of low-ionization (LIS) are analyzed in this review in terms of LIS morphology, kinematics, and physical and excitation properties. We attempt to address the issue of their origin through the comparison of LIS properties with the main shells of the nebulae, as well as the contrast with the theoretical model predictions. We finally conclude that, while LIS morphology and kinematics can be reasonably accounted for by the available theoretical models, they cannot explain the LIS physical/excitation properties, unless we agree that evolved PNe are expected to show neither shock-excited LIS nor significant density contrasts relatively to their environments. Some evidence for the latter ideas is actually presented in this paper.