HE-2-104 REVISITED

We report new spectroscopic observations of He 2-104 (the southern cra b). The Balmer decrement indicates a reddening corresponding to a colo ur excess E(B-V)=1.2 mag. The main body of the ionized region has an i mportant density stratification with values ranging from 10(3) cm(-3) up to 6-7 x 10(6) cm(-3), shown by a robust correlation between densit y and the ionization potential of the preceding ion. The average elect ron temperature through that region is about 13 000 K. Our data sugges ts only a modest enhancement of He and N. The Stoy temperature of the hot star is of the order of 30 000 K, suggesting an early evolutionary stage for the planetary.