IAU Symposium 323

Planetary nebulae are the spectacular products of low- and intermediate-mass stellar evolution. Understanding their formation and origin is key to understanding fundamental yet highly uncertain physics of single and binary star evolution. The shapes and spectral characteristics of PNe are unique and visible out to great distance. For a long time, the use of PNe as effective probes of stellar populations and galactic dynamics has been very successful. The current symposium is a continuation of a 5year cycle of PN IAU Symposia proposed and organized by the IAU PN WG, based on a continuing stream of interest for this fascinating subject, with connections to stellar evolution, gas and dust chemistry and recycling, stellar population in the Milky Way, in the Local group, and in external galaxies as well. - New challenges to surveys of PNe in the Local Group - PNe as a versatile laboratory of dust and molecular studies - From the asymptotic giant branch to the white dwarf stellar phases - The connection between binary evolution and the PN phenomena - PNe as probes of galactic chemical evolution and dynamics - PNe outside of the local group - PNe and forefront instrumentation.