OPTICAL OBSERVATIONS OF THE HOT POSTASYMPTOTIC GIANT BRANCH STAR, HD-177566

An LTE model atmosphere analysis of optical and ultra-violet spectra i s presented for a hot high galactic latitude star, HD 177566, previous ly identified as a post-asymptotic giant branch candidate from its ult ra-violet spectrum. The derived atmospheric parameters and chemical co mposition confirm that HD 177566 is a low mass (M similar or equal to 0.55 M.) post-AGB star; a general heavy element underabundance of appr oximately -1.3 dex is found. The possibility that it is the central st ar of a young, compact planetary nebula is briefly discussed.