ASTROPHYSICAL GASDYNAMICS CONFRONTS REALITY - THE SHAPING OF PLANETARY-NEBULAE

We present two-dimensional numerical simulations, which use techniques of radiation gasdynamics to simulate the structures of planetary nebulae (PNs). Our model incorporates realistic volume emissivities in order to fully account for the conversion of mechanical and thermal energy into radiation. The model also produces detailed predictions of observables such as projected structure (e.g., Halpha and [N II] images) and kinematic patterns. Virtually the full range of PN morphologies are easily reproduced, as are the basic kinematics, ionization structures, and temperatures.