Athena X-IFU Starburst Simulations
Abstract
Superwinds are a key mechanism for distributing metals in starbursts galaxies and providing stellar "feedback" that regulates star formation. Most of the energy in superwinds is in the hot X-ray phases that are very tenuous and therefore difficult to observe directly. The X-IFU on Athena will have the sensitivity to directly probe superwinds through velocity broadening and Doppler shifts in X-ray emission lines. The high spectral resolution of the X-IFU will identify regions that are dominated by shocks (non-equilibrium ionization) and charge exchange emission. Here we present X-IFU simulations of starburst galaxies using SIXTE, which will demonstrate the impacts of the background level, systematic error (particularly the gain calibration) and the FoV design.
- Publication:
-
Exploring the Hot and Energetic Universe: The first scientific conference dedicated to the Athena X-ray observatory
- Pub Date:
- September 2015
- Bibcode:
- 2015eheu.conf...34P