Planetary Nebulae as Astronomical Tools: International Conference on Planetary Nebulae as Astronomical Tools (AIP Conference Proceedings / Astronomy and Astrophysics)

Planetary nebulae are gaseous envelopes ejected from solar-type stars at the end of their lives. They have traditionally been considered by specialists as testbeds for theories of stellar evolution and as laboratories to study the physics of warm nebular gases.  The interest of the astronomical community in planetary nebulae has increased considerably in recent years due to the demonstration that planetary nebulae can be used to measure the distances and masses of galaxies or to reveal the presence of stars outside galaxies.  This conference explored the entire potential of planetary nebulae as tools for astronomy.