[Previous] | [Session 32] | [Next]
W. T. Sanders (University of Wisconsin-Madison), W. Cui (Purdue University), M. Juda (Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory), D. McCammon (University of Wisconsin-Madison)
The low energy diffuse X-ray background that we see in all directions provides evidence for a million-degree phase of the interstellar medium, but its spatial distribution and filling factor are unknown. We have observed NGC 3184, a galaxy that is similar to the Milky Way, with the CXO ACIS to characterize the hot diffuse emission of that galaxy, and to infer the possible distribution of hot gas within our own galaxy. An image of the X-ray emission at energies below 1 keV shows enhanced surface brightness coincident with the galactic spiral arms, probably arising from the halo of NGC 3184, but large hot bubbles or localized regions of diffuse emission are not apparent. The spatial structure and spectral characteristics of the putative halo emission will be presented. This work was funded in part by NASA grants NAG5-3524 and NAG5-629 and SAO grant GO-1022X.