Vertical Distribution and Kinematics of Planetary Nebulae in the Milky
  Way
  Based on published data, we have produced a sample of planetary nebulae (PNe)
that is complete within 2 kpc of the Sun. We have estimated the total number of
PNe in the Galaxy from this sample to be 17000+/-3000 and determined the
vertical scale height of the thin disk based on an exponential density
distribution to be 197+/-10 pc. The next sample includes PNe from the
Stanghellini-Haywood catalog with minor additions. For this purpose, we have
used about 200 PNe with Peimbert's types I, II, and III. In this case, we have
obtained a considerably higher value of the vertical scale height that
increases noticeably with sample radius. We have experimentally found that it
is necessary to reduce the distance scale of this catalog approximately by 20%.
Then, for example, for PNe with heliocentric distances less than 4 kpc the
vertical scale height is 256+/-12 kpc. A kinematic analysis has confirmed the
necessity of such a reduction of the distance scale.
