Mass-loaded flows - VII. Transonic flows from the cores of planetary nebulae

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Abstract
We present simple analytical and more detailed numerical models of the flow resulting from the mass loading of a fast stellar wind in the core region of a planetary nebula. It is found that, for mass-loading rates above a critical value, the flow leaving the core will always be transonic. We suggest that this mass-loading model provides a simple explanation for the observed high electron temperatures in the haloes of some planetary nebulae. The model has been applied to the core-halo planetary nebula NGC 6543. It is found that the mass-loading rate required to ensure a transonic flow leaving the core does not conflict with estimates of the available progenitor mass.

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