0 Chandra X - ray Observatory Detection of Extended X - ray Emission from the Planetary Nebula BD + 30 ◦ 3639

We report the detection of well resolved, extended X-ray emission from the young planetary nebula BD +30 3639 using the Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer (ACIS) aboard the Chandra X-ray Observatory. The X-ray emission from BD +30 3639 appears to lie within, but is concentrated to one side of, the interior of the shell of ionized gas seen in high-resolution optical and IR images. The relatively low X-ray temperature (Tx ∼ 3 × 10 6 K) and asymmetric morphology of the X-ray emission suggests that conduction fronts are present and/or mixing of shock-heated and photoionized gas has occurred and, furthermore, hints at the presence of magnetic fields. The ACIS spectrum suggests that the X-ray emitting region is enriched in the products of helium burning. Our detection of extended X-ray emission from BD +30 3639 demonstrates the power and utility of Chandra imaging as applied to the study of planetary nebulae. Subject headings: stars: mass loss — stars: winds, outflows — planetary nebulae: individual (BD +30 3639) — X-rays: ISM