Charge-exchange emission in the starburst galaxies M82 and NGC3256

TL;DR

This paper analyzes charge-exchange X-ray emission in starburst galaxies M82 and NGC 3256, highlighting observed features and future observational improvements with microcalorimeter technology.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed analysis of charge-exchange emission in these galaxies using Suzaku and XMM-Newton data, and discusses future observational prospects.

Findings

Detection of charge-exchange features from ions and neutrals.

Identification of specific elements like O, C, Mg, Si in the spectra.

Discussion of how future instruments will enhance CE observations.

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.