Indirect evidence strongly suggests that starburst-driven outflows (superwinds)from L virgul L* galaxies are responsible for much of the enrichment and heating ofthe IGM. Catching metal-ejection in action requires use of X-ray telescopes tostudy the hot metal-enriched plasma in superwind outflows. We propose EPICobservations of 3 nearby, relatively bright, edge-on starburst galaxies with theaim of constraining the spectral properties of the hot gas in their halos, inparticular the abundance ratios O/Fe and Mg/O. It is necessary to perform thisexperiment before we can unambiguously blame superwinds for the enrichment ofthe IGM.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2004-04-25T21:25:06Z/2004-04-26T10:56:57Z
Version
17.56_20190403_1200
Mission Description
The European Space Agencys (ESA) X-ray Multi-Mirror Mission (XMM-Newton) was launched by an Ariane 504 on December 10th 1999. XMM-Newton is ESAs second cornerstone of the Horizon 2000 Science Programme. It carries 3 high throughput X-ray telescopes with an unprecedented effective area, and an optical monitor, the first flown on a X-ray observatory. The large collecting area and ability to make long uninterrupted exposures provide highly sensitive observations. Since Earths atmosphere blocks out all X-rays, only a telescope in space can detect and study celestial X-ray sources. The XMM-Newton mission is helping scientists to solve a number of cosmic mysteries, ranging from the enigmatic black holes to the origins of the Universe itself. Observing time on XMM-Newton is being made available to the scientific community, applying for observational periods on a competitive basis.
European Space Agency, Dr DAVID STRICKLAND, 2005, 'CHEMICAL AND SPECTRAL PROPERTIES OF HOT GAS IN THE HALOS OF STARBURST GALAXIES', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-7hnrd3e
