We have started a pilot project to measure the ISM enrichment in a starburstepisode, by comparing infrared-derived stellar metallicities with X-ray derivedgaseous ones. Preliminary results obtained from archival XMM data seempromising, but are severely hampered by low statistics and leave the mostimportant issues unsolved. We propose to use the RGS onboard XMM to obtain highquality (matching that of the infrared spectra we obtained at the TNG) X-rayspectra of the template starburst galaxies M82 and NGC4449, in order to derivereliable elemental abundances and provide the first measurement of the ISMenrichment.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2004-04-21T21:36:32Z/2004-04-23T02:35:45Z
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 PIERO RANALLI, 2005, 'GASEOUS ABUNDANCES IN M82 AND NGC4449', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-mcdr33e
