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Papers by Quentin A Parker

Research paper thumbnail of Frew_Gdansk_poster

Research paper thumbnail of Parker_APN5_poster

Research paper thumbnail of A barium-rich binary central star in Abell 70

Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union, 2011

We have found the central star of Abell 70 (PN G038.1–25.4, hereafter A 70) to be a binary consis... more We have found the central star of Abell 70 (PN G038.1–25.4, hereafter A 70) to be a binary consisting of a G8 IV-V secondary and a hot white dwarf. The secondary shows enhanced Ba II and Sr II features, firmly classifying it as a barium star. The nebula is found to have Type-I chemical abundances with helium and nitrogen enrichment, which combined with future abundance studies of the central star, will establish A 70 as a unique laboratory for studying s-process AGB nucleosynthesis.

Research paper thumbnail of Planetary and Proto-Planetary Nebulae which are Strong 25µm Emitters

Research paper thumbnail of Three quasars from a survey of strong 25- m emitters

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 2000

Research paper thumbnail of Star cluster kinematics with AAOmega

Research paper thumbnail of 400 new Planetary Nebulae in the Galactic Bulge

Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union, 2006

Research paper thumbnail of A survey for low surface brightness galaxies in Virgo using Tech Pan films

Research paper thumbnail of New Images from the UKST Halpha Survey

Research paper thumbnail of A new method to estimate the Galactic extinction for the analysis of large scale structure in the Galactic center region

Research paper thumbnail of Use of Kodak Tech-Pan Film at the Ukstu

Astronomy from Wide-Field Imaging, 1994

Research paper thumbnail of Radio and optical studies of a complete sample of IRAS galaxies

Radio maps, spectra and CCD images have been obtained for almost all the 158 objects in a complet... more Radio maps, spectra and CCD images have been obtained for almost all the 158 objects in a complete sample of IRAS galaxies. The linear relation between radio and far-infrared luminosity is valid over the complete luminosity range (up to LIR=1.8×1012 L⊙, H○=75 km s−1 Mpc−1). The majority of the 10 most luminous galaxies show evidence of tidal disruption and have

Research paper thumbnail of Planetary nebulae and how to find them: A concise review

Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences

This review provides useful background and information on how we find, vet and compile Planetary ... more This review provides useful background and information on how we find, vet and compile Planetary Nebulae (PNe) candidates and verify them. It presents a summary of the known Galactic PNe population and their curation in the Hong Kong/AAO/Strasbourg/Hα PNe catalogue, “HASH”. It is a simple introduction for anyone interested in working with PNe, including postgraduate students entering the field and for more general interest too.

Research paper thumbnail of A Preliminary Investigation of CSPN in the HASH Database

Galaxies

We present some preliminary findings on the population of planetary nebula where central stars (C... more We present some preliminary findings on the population of planetary nebula where central stars (CSPN) have been independently identified in the HASH catalogue. Many new discoveries and candidates have been found (416 at the time of this writing), adding significantly to the previously known sample of about 600. We also present results from a comparison between our own HASH measurements of CSPN and those provided in existing CSPN catalogues and those from Gaia. We show the value of a federated, multi-wavelength database of Galactic PNe like HASH in terms of not only uncovering faint, new CSPN but of assisting in correct identifications, removing PN mimics with apparent CSPN, correcting incorrect assignments and providing improved positions. HASH provides the community with a comprehensive and reliable resource for any study of the CSPN population of Galactic PNe.

Research paper thumbnail of The bright end of the radio PNe Luminosity Function

Recently, we (Filipovic et al. 2009) reported the first confirmed extragalactic radio-continuum d... more Recently, we (Filipovic et al. 2009) reported the first confirmed extragalactic radio-continuum detection of 15 PNe in the Magellanic Clouds (MCs). These new positive radio detections of MCs PNe open a door to the exciting possibility of construction of the radio Planetary Nebula Luminosity Function (PNLF) which would be of extreme help in understanding of properties of PNe in our

Research paper thumbnail of Further Studies of the Association of Planetary Nebula BMP J16135406 with Galactic Open Cluster NGC 6067

Galaxies, 2022

Planetary Nebulae (PNe) that are physical members of Galactic open clusters are powerful probes t... more Planetary Nebulae (PNe) that are physical members of Galactic open clusters are powerful probes that allow precise determination of their distance and crucially their initial mass on the main sequence. Here, we revisit the physical association of the PN BMP J1613–5406 with the open cluster NGC 6067 and present our preliminary results based on our new ESO/VLT FORS2 data. Our PN spectral data permit the calculation of a precise radial velocity and reddening to the PN that shows a tight consistency with the literature corresponding cluster parameters including importantly the radial velocity. Our measurements, combined with the agreement between the distances of the two objects and the fact that the PN is located well within the cluster boundaries, confirm that the PN is physically associated with the cluster. The cluster has a turn-off mass of around 5 solar masses that indicates a PN initial mass of around 5.6 solar masses. This is closer to the theoretical lower limit of core-collap...

Research paper thumbnail of The Large Scale Distribution of Galaxies in the Shapley Supercluster

We present new results of our wide-field redshift survey of galaxies in a 182 square degree regio... more We present new results of our wide-field redshift survey of galaxies in a 182 square degree region of the Shapley Supercluster (SSC) based on observations with the FLAIR-II spectrograph on the UK Schmidt Telescope. We present new measurements to give a total sample of redshifts for 710 bright (R<16.6) galaxies, of which 464 are members of the SSC (8000<v<18000 kms). Our data reveal that the main plane of the SSC extends further than previously realised, filling the whole extent of our survey region of 10 degrees by 20 degrees on the sky (35 Mpc by 70 Mpc). There is also a significant structure associated with the slightly nearer Abell 3571 cluster complex with a caustic structure evident out to a radius of 6 Mpc. These galaxies seem to link two previously identified sheets of galaxies and establish a connection with a third one at v=15000 kms. They also tend to fill the gap of galaxies between the foreground Hydra-Centaurus region and the more distant SSC. We calculate gala...

Research paper thumbnail of The "Principes de Asturias" nebula: a new quadrupolar planetary nebula from the IPHAS survey

The Isaac Newton Telescope Photometric H-alpha Survey (IPHAS) is currently mapping the Northern G... more The Isaac Newton Telescope Photometric H-alpha Survey (IPHAS) is currently mapping the Northern Galactic plane reaching to r'=20 mag with typically 1" resolution. Hundreds of Planetary Nebulae (PNe), both point-like and resolved, are expected to be discovered. We report on the discovery of the first new PN from this survey: it is an unusual object located at a large galactocentric distance and has a very low oxygen abundance. The nebula shows an intricate morphology: there is an inner ring surrounding the central star, bright inner lobes with an enhanced waist, and very faint lobular extensions reaching up to more than 100". We classify it as a quadrupolar PN, a rather unusual class of planetary showing two pairs of misaligned lobes. From long-slit spectroscopy we derive Te[NII] =12800+-1000K, Ne = 390+-40 cm-3, and chemical abundances typical of Peimbert's Type I nebulae (He/H =0.13, N/O =1.8) with an oxygen abundance of 12 + log(O/H)=8.17+-0.15. A kinematic dista...

Research paper thumbnail of PFP 1: A Large Annular Planetary Nebula Caught in the First Stages of ISM Interaction

This paper presents (H-alpha + [NII]) imaging and spectroscopy of a previously unknown, highly ev... more This paper presents (H-alpha + [NII]) imaging and spectroscopy of a previously unknown, highly evolved planetary nebula of low excitation. It was discovered serendipitously from AAO/UKST H-alpha Survey images as part of a project to exploit the survey data and has evaded detection by previous surveys due to very low surface brightness. It is a remarkably annular planetary nebula, some 19' across, making it one of the largest examples of its type. We estimate a radius of 1.5 pc and a distance of 550pc as derived from a new H-alpha surface brightness - radius relation. PFP 1 has near perfect circular symmetry, broken only at the NW edge which is coupled with significantly increased (H-alpha + [NII]) intensity. This indicates an early stage of an interaction with the interstellar medium. A blue central star candidate has been identified from the SuperCOSMOS Sky Survey data.

Research paper thumbnail of PHR1315-6555: a bipolar planetary nebula in the compact Hyades-age open cluster ESO96-SC04

We present a detailed study of a bipolar, possible Type I planetary nebula (PN), PHR1315-6555 (PN... more We present a detailed study of a bipolar, possible Type I planetary nebula (PN), PHR1315-6555 (PN G305.3-03.1), that was discovered as part of the Macquarie/AAO/Strasbourg H-alpha planetary nebula project (MASH) and that we considered at the time was an excellent candidate for membership of the distant, compact, intermediate-age open cluster, ESO 96-SC04. The strong evidence for this association is presented here making this the only known example of a PN physically associated with a Galactic open cluster. Cluster membership is extremely important as it allows for very precise estimates of the fundamental properties of the PN as the cluster is at a known distance. The PN was discovered by one of us (QAP) during systematic MASH searches for new Galactic PNe of the AAO/UKST H-alpha survey and had been missed in earlier broadband surveys, including specific CCD studies of the host cluster. We present original discovery images and CTIO 4m MOSAIC-II camera follow-up narrow-band images th...

Research paper thumbnail of Frew_Gdansk_poster

Research paper thumbnail of Parker_APN5_poster

Research paper thumbnail of A barium-rich binary central star in Abell 70

Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union, 2011

We have found the central star of Abell 70 (PN G038.1–25.4, hereafter A 70) to be a binary consis... more We have found the central star of Abell 70 (PN G038.1–25.4, hereafter A 70) to be a binary consisting of a G8 IV-V secondary and a hot white dwarf. The secondary shows enhanced Ba II and Sr II features, firmly classifying it as a barium star. The nebula is found to have Type-I chemical abundances with helium and nitrogen enrichment, which combined with future abundance studies of the central star, will establish A 70 as a unique laboratory for studying s-process AGB nucleosynthesis.

Research paper thumbnail of Planetary and Proto-Planetary Nebulae which are Strong 25µm Emitters

Research paper thumbnail of Three quasars from a survey of strong 25- m emitters

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 2000

Research paper thumbnail of Star cluster kinematics with AAOmega

Research paper thumbnail of 400 new Planetary Nebulae in the Galactic Bulge

Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union, 2006

Research paper thumbnail of A survey for low surface brightness galaxies in Virgo using Tech Pan films

Research paper thumbnail of New Images from the UKST Halpha Survey

Research paper thumbnail of A new method to estimate the Galactic extinction for the analysis of large scale structure in the Galactic center region

Research paper thumbnail of Use of Kodak Tech-Pan Film at the Ukstu

Astronomy from Wide-Field Imaging, 1994

Research paper thumbnail of Radio and optical studies of a complete sample of IRAS galaxies

Radio maps, spectra and CCD images have been obtained for almost all the 158 objects in a complet... more Radio maps, spectra and CCD images have been obtained for almost all the 158 objects in a complete sample of IRAS galaxies. The linear relation between radio and far-infrared luminosity is valid over the complete luminosity range (up to LIR=1.8×1012 L⊙, H○=75 km s−1 Mpc−1). The majority of the 10 most luminous galaxies show evidence of tidal disruption and have

Research paper thumbnail of Planetary nebulae and how to find them: A concise review

Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences

This review provides useful background and information on how we find, vet and compile Planetary ... more This review provides useful background and information on how we find, vet and compile Planetary Nebulae (PNe) candidates and verify them. It presents a summary of the known Galactic PNe population and their curation in the Hong Kong/AAO/Strasbourg/Hα PNe catalogue, “HASH”. It is a simple introduction for anyone interested in working with PNe, including postgraduate students entering the field and for more general interest too.

Research paper thumbnail of A Preliminary Investigation of CSPN in the HASH Database

Galaxies

We present some preliminary findings on the population of planetary nebula where central stars (C... more We present some preliminary findings on the population of planetary nebula where central stars (CSPN) have been independently identified in the HASH catalogue. Many new discoveries and candidates have been found (416 at the time of this writing), adding significantly to the previously known sample of about 600. We also present results from a comparison between our own HASH measurements of CSPN and those provided in existing CSPN catalogues and those from Gaia. We show the value of a federated, multi-wavelength database of Galactic PNe like HASH in terms of not only uncovering faint, new CSPN but of assisting in correct identifications, removing PN mimics with apparent CSPN, correcting incorrect assignments and providing improved positions. HASH provides the community with a comprehensive and reliable resource for any study of the CSPN population of Galactic PNe.

Research paper thumbnail of The bright end of the radio PNe Luminosity Function

Recently, we (Filipovic et al. 2009) reported the first confirmed extragalactic radio-continuum d... more Recently, we (Filipovic et al. 2009) reported the first confirmed extragalactic radio-continuum detection of 15 PNe in the Magellanic Clouds (MCs). These new positive radio detections of MCs PNe open a door to the exciting possibility of construction of the radio Planetary Nebula Luminosity Function (PNLF) which would be of extreme help in understanding of properties of PNe in our

Research paper thumbnail of Further Studies of the Association of Planetary Nebula BMP J16135406 with Galactic Open Cluster NGC 6067

Galaxies, 2022

Planetary Nebulae (PNe) that are physical members of Galactic open clusters are powerful probes t... more Planetary Nebulae (PNe) that are physical members of Galactic open clusters are powerful probes that allow precise determination of their distance and crucially their initial mass on the main sequence. Here, we revisit the physical association of the PN BMP J1613–5406 with the open cluster NGC 6067 and present our preliminary results based on our new ESO/VLT FORS2 data. Our PN spectral data permit the calculation of a precise radial velocity and reddening to the PN that shows a tight consistency with the literature corresponding cluster parameters including importantly the radial velocity. Our measurements, combined with the agreement between the distances of the two objects and the fact that the PN is located well within the cluster boundaries, confirm that the PN is physically associated with the cluster. The cluster has a turn-off mass of around 5 solar masses that indicates a PN initial mass of around 5.6 solar masses. This is closer to the theoretical lower limit of core-collap...

Research paper thumbnail of The Large Scale Distribution of Galaxies in the Shapley Supercluster

We present new results of our wide-field redshift survey of galaxies in a 182 square degree regio... more We present new results of our wide-field redshift survey of galaxies in a 182 square degree region of the Shapley Supercluster (SSC) based on observations with the FLAIR-II spectrograph on the UK Schmidt Telescope. We present new measurements to give a total sample of redshifts for 710 bright (R<16.6) galaxies, of which 464 are members of the SSC (8000<v<18000 kms). Our data reveal that the main plane of the SSC extends further than previously realised, filling the whole extent of our survey region of 10 degrees by 20 degrees on the sky (35 Mpc by 70 Mpc). There is also a significant structure associated with the slightly nearer Abell 3571 cluster complex with a caustic structure evident out to a radius of 6 Mpc. These galaxies seem to link two previously identified sheets of galaxies and establish a connection with a third one at v=15000 kms. They also tend to fill the gap of galaxies between the foreground Hydra-Centaurus region and the more distant SSC. We calculate gala...

Research paper thumbnail of The "Principes de Asturias" nebula: a new quadrupolar planetary nebula from the IPHAS survey

The Isaac Newton Telescope Photometric H-alpha Survey (IPHAS) is currently mapping the Northern G... more The Isaac Newton Telescope Photometric H-alpha Survey (IPHAS) is currently mapping the Northern Galactic plane reaching to r'=20 mag with typically 1" resolution. Hundreds of Planetary Nebulae (PNe), both point-like and resolved, are expected to be discovered. We report on the discovery of the first new PN from this survey: it is an unusual object located at a large galactocentric distance and has a very low oxygen abundance. The nebula shows an intricate morphology: there is an inner ring surrounding the central star, bright inner lobes with an enhanced waist, and very faint lobular extensions reaching up to more than 100". We classify it as a quadrupolar PN, a rather unusual class of planetary showing two pairs of misaligned lobes. From long-slit spectroscopy we derive Te[NII] =12800+-1000K, Ne = 390+-40 cm-3, and chemical abundances typical of Peimbert's Type I nebulae (He/H =0.13, N/O =1.8) with an oxygen abundance of 12 + log(O/H)=8.17+-0.15. A kinematic dista...

Research paper thumbnail of PFP 1: A Large Annular Planetary Nebula Caught in the First Stages of ISM Interaction

This paper presents (H-alpha + [NII]) imaging and spectroscopy of a previously unknown, highly ev... more This paper presents (H-alpha + [NII]) imaging and spectroscopy of a previously unknown, highly evolved planetary nebula of low excitation. It was discovered serendipitously from AAO/UKST H-alpha Survey images as part of a project to exploit the survey data and has evaded detection by previous surveys due to very low surface brightness. It is a remarkably annular planetary nebula, some 19' across, making it one of the largest examples of its type. We estimate a radius of 1.5 pc and a distance of 550pc as derived from a new H-alpha surface brightness - radius relation. PFP 1 has near perfect circular symmetry, broken only at the NW edge which is coupled with significantly increased (H-alpha + [NII]) intensity. This indicates an early stage of an interaction with the interstellar medium. A blue central star candidate has been identified from the SuperCOSMOS Sky Survey data.

Research paper thumbnail of PHR1315-6555: a bipolar planetary nebula in the compact Hyades-age open cluster ESO96-SC04

We present a detailed study of a bipolar, possible Type I planetary nebula (PN), PHR1315-6555 (PN... more We present a detailed study of a bipolar, possible Type I planetary nebula (PN), PHR1315-6555 (PN G305.3-03.1), that was discovered as part of the Macquarie/AAO/Strasbourg H-alpha planetary nebula project (MASH) and that we considered at the time was an excellent candidate for membership of the distant, compact, intermediate-age open cluster, ESO 96-SC04. The strong evidence for this association is presented here making this the only known example of a PN physically associated with a Galactic open cluster. Cluster membership is extremely important as it allows for very precise estimates of the fundamental properties of the PN as the cluster is at a known distance. The PN was discovered by one of us (QAP) during systematic MASH searches for new Galactic PNe of the AAO/UKST H-alpha survey and had been missed in earlier broadband surveys, including specific CCD studies of the host cluster. We present original discovery images and CTIO 4m MOSAIC-II camera follow-up narrow-band images th...

Research paper thumbnail of University of Hong Kong CCCH9052 Arts Science and Artefacts in Chinese Cultural Heritage Introductions Lectures 1 – 10

Course Description: This course combines an innovative, multidisciplinary exploration of the cul... more Course Description: This course combines an innovative, multidisciplinary exploration of the cultural significance of Chinese art and artifacts. This is through a combined aesthetic and scientific approach to the preservation and appreciation of Chinese materials culture and heritage including teaching its impact in the development of civilization. Ancient copying by artisans to emulate and honour more ancient objects is, for example, set against modern techniques of reproduction, economic practices, and the intentions of collectors, artists, vendors, copyists, forgers, and scientists.

The course represents an exciting opportunity for students to enhance their knowledge of the cultural heritage and collections world. The focus is on China and its materials culture, artworks and artefacts but will innovatively incorporate the scientific method and its application to object testing, analysis and appraisal. Direct hands-on experience, laboratory exercises and reference to University of Hong Kong collections as well as visits to local museums comprises part of the learning. The content and theme for each course component will be reflective of relevant student observations and knowledge across science and the arts disciplines.