Charge-exchange emission in the starburst galaxies M82 and NGC3256

Abstract

Charge-exchange (CE) emission produces features which are detectable with the current X-ray instrumentation in the brightest near galaxies. We describe these aspects in the observed X-ray spectra of the star forming galaxies M82 and NGC 3256, from the Suzaku and XMM-Newton telescopes. Emission from both ions (O, C) and neutrals (Mg, Si) is recognised. We also describe how microcalorimeter instrumentation on future missions will improve CE observations.

Based on observations obtained with XMM-Newton, an ESA science mission with instruments and contributions directly funded by ESA Member States and NASA.