New Results for the Open Cluster Bica 6 and its Associated Planetary
  Nebula Abell 8
  The likely membership of the planetary nebula Abell 8 (PN G167.0--00.9) in
the open cluster Bica 6 is confirmed by CCD spectra, UBV(RI)c photometry, and
radial velocities for luminous cluster stars. The reddening, estimated
distance, and radial velocity of the planetary nebula agree with parameters
derived for Bica 6 of E(B-V)=0.42, d=1.60+-0.11 kpc, and Vr=57+-1 km/s, with a
cluster age of 1 Gyr, a diagnostic blue hook, and a few blue stragglers,
including a peculiar B1 Vnn star (HDE 277593) that may be a post-AGB star. The
results identify Bica 6 as a potential calibrator of the planetary nebula
distance scale. The central star of the planetary nebula has a reddening of
E(B-V)=0.49+-0.02, with a possible circumnebular excess, and an estimated
luminosity of Mv=+7.44+-0.16. It is also an optical double in 2MASS images,
with a likely progenitor according to evolutionary considerations being a late
B-type dwarf of ~2.3 Msun.
