We present [N ii] and H alpha images and high-resolution long-slit spectra
of the planetary nebula IC 4846, which reveal, for the first time, its comp
lex structure and the existence of collimated outflows. The object consists
of a moderately elongated shell, two (and probably three) pairs of collima
ted bipolar outflows at different orientations, and an attached circular sh
ell. One of the collimated pairs is constituted by two curved, extended fil
aments the properties of which indicate a high-velocity, bipolar precessing
jet. A difference of similar or equal to 10 km s(-1) is found between the
systemic velocity of the precessing jets and the centroid velocity of the n
ebula, as recently reported for Hu 2-1. We propose that this difference is
as a result of orbital motion of the ejection source in a binary central st
ar. The orbital separation of less than or equal to 30 au and period less t
han or equal to 100 yr estimated for the binary are similar to those in Hu
2-1, linking the central stars of both planetary nebulae to interacting bin
aries. Extraordinary similarities also exist between IC 4846 and the bewild
ering planetary nebula NGC 6543, suggesting a similar formation history for
both objects.