We propose to perform abundance determinations of the hot gas in the central sim 1 kpc of two galaxies with circumnuclear star forming regions for whichthe analysis of the warm ionized gas (HII regions) yields an oxygen abundancelower than expected from empirical abundance indicators. These findings point toan effect similar to what is found for M82, i.e. a defficiency of light alphaelements (O, Ne) in the central regions. If this is common among regionsdominated by recent star formation, the oxygen abundances found for the warmionized gas might not be representative of the true metal content of theseregions. This could have a profound effect on abundance calibrations leading tofundamental relations like the Mass-Metallcity and Luminosity-Metallicity relations.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2008-05-21T02:40:06Z/2009-04-23T23:32:26Z
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, Prof Angeles Diaz, 2010, 'Hot gas phase abundances in the 1 kpc central region of d_commahot-spotd_comma galaxies.', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-pq74yi7
