9413480 Likkel The near-infrared spectra of Planetary Nebulae (PNe) will be studied in order to characterize them in terms of electromagnetic emission processes. This research is especially timely because it involves infrared wavelength observations which were not possible until recently. The initial observations of the project will be pursued by using the infrared camera, GRIM-II, on the 3.5m telescope at Apache Point Observatory in New Mexico. The Washington State University Program in Astronomy has access to this telescope and has the facilities to reduce the data from the observations. A major thrust of this project is to understand what effect emission lines, etc, have on the infrared wavelength bands ,J, H, and K, observed using photometric detectors. What are the various contributions to the brightness of the observed J, H, and K infrared wavelength bands? By answering this question, J, H, and K colors of PNe can be interpreted more accurately. Trends and correlations between the morphology, excitation, composition, and other characteristics of the PNe, will be identified so that the results can be generalized to other nebulae. The results of the research will provide useful information that will benefit astronomers studying PNe. The results will also be useful to researchers studying similar objects, such as symbiotic stars, BE type stars, and ultra-compact ionized Hydrogen (HII) regions. Useful and interesting results of the research will provide a basis on which a more extensive project may be planned.
