Spectrum of IC 2149 and its central star

Although the asymmetric optical image of IC 2149 does not fall into any standard morphologies (Balick et al. 1993), the overall shape and its radio frequency image show a bilateral symmetry. The central star of spectral class O7.5 is a remarkable object with a rich spectrum showing many Fe ions. We discuss this spectrum in detail. The nebula has been studied utilizing our theoretical photoionization models. Detailed analyses of spectral data are done in both the UV region (lambda less than 3000 A; IUE) and the optical region (3500 A approximately 10500 A; the Hamilton Echelle at Lick Observatory). The plasma diagnostics suggest an electron temperature of 9000 approximately 10,000 K and an electron density near 5600 cm. Our model calculations were carried out with due regard to the above plasma diagnostics. The observations can be interpreted by a model of IC 2149 which consists of two components (an equatorial ring and a polar cone), but the total emission is dominated by the relatively denser equatorial shell. Carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen appear to be depleted by a factor of about 3; ratios of other elements are also lower than in the Sun.