A Photographic Survey of Bright Southern Planetary Nebulae

Summary
Twenty-six objects believed to be planetary nebulae with diameters greater than 8 seconds of arc, south of declination −40°, have been investigated. Descriptions, and photographs of those which defintely are planetary nebulae, are presented. Some comments on the classification of planetary nebulae are offered, and the proportions exhibiting various types of symmetrical form are tabulated.

The present project originated in a suggestion by Professor J.H. Oort, made during a visit to the Radcliffe Observatory in 1948. It was felt that, although the proper motions of planetary nebulae would probably be very small, it was nevertheless desirable that plates which might provide first-epoch positions should be obtained as soon as possible. The project was later extended, and much longer exposure plates were taken, in order to provide, in addition, a descriptive catalogue of bright southern planetaries. A list of objects believed to be planetary nebulae, having diameters of more than 8 seconds of arc, south of declination −40°, contained 26 objects. In the course of 1948–50, a total of 123 plates of these objects were obtained. This includes 16 plates of IC 4406 (already described elsewhere by one of us, DSE)* and of the remainder, 89 plates are by DSE and 18 by ADT.

Table 1 (edited)

Footnote
#21: interacting galaxy
#22: spiral galaxy
#23: Sb galaxy
#23a: Sa galaxy
#24: Sa galaxy
#26: Sc galaxy