[Previous] | [Session 89] | [Next]
L.P. David (SAO), A. Finoguenov (SRI)
We will present the results of a spatially resolved X-ray spectroscopic study of 11 rich clusters of galaxies based on ROSAT and ASCA data. From our analysis, we have derived the spatial distribution of several heavy elements in each cluster (Ne, Si, S and Fe) and the iron mass-to-light ratio (IMLR). Using theoretical predictions for the nucleosynthesis yields from Type Ia and II supernovae, we determine the relative enrichment by both types of supernovae as a function of radius within each cluster. Our primary results are: the overall IMLR increases significantly between cool and hot clusters, and the Fe enrichment from Type II (Ia) supernovae increases (decreases) with radius within a given cluster. These results are consistent with a scenario in which the gas was initially enriched by Type II supernova driven galactic winds, during which time, some of the gas was expelled from low temperature systems. Elements synthesized by Type Ia supernovae are then released into the intracluster medium at latter times, as galaxies accrete onto clusters and are ram pressure stripped during passage through the cluster core.
If the author provided an email address or URL for general inquiries, it is a
s follows: