DIFFUSE-X-RAY EMISSION FROM THE DUMBBELL NEBULA

We have analyzed ROSAT Position Sensitive Proportional Counter pointed observations of the Dumbbell Nebula and find that the previously repo rted ''extended'' x-ray emission is an instrumental electronic ghost i mage at the softest energy band. At slightly higher energy bands, the image of the Dumbbell is not very different from that of the white dwa rf HZ43. We conclude that the x-ray emission of the Dumbbell Nebula co mes from its central star. A blackbody model is fitted to the spectrum and the best-fit temperature of less-than-or-equal-to 136000+/-10000 K is in excellent agreement with the Zanstra temperatures.