New X-ray views of the Galactic center observed with Suzaku


Abstract in English

We report the diffuse X-ray emissions from the Sgr A and B regions observed with Suzaku. From the Sgr A region, we found many K-shell transition lines of iron and nickel. The brightest are K alpha lines from FeI, FeXXV and FeXXVI at 6.4 keV, 6.7 keV and 6.9 keV. In addition, K alpha lines of NiI and NiXXVII, K beta of FeI, FeXXV and FeXXVI, and K gamma of FeXXV and FeXXVI are detected for the first time. The center energy of K alpha of FeXXV favors collisional excitation as the origin for this line emission. The ionization temperature determined from the flux ratio of K alpha of FeXXV and FeXXVI is similar to the electron temperature determined from the flux ratio of K alpha and K beta of FeXXV, which are in the range of 5-7 keV. Consequently, the Galactic Center diffuse X-rays (GCDX) are consistent with emission from a plasma nearly in ionization equilibrium. The radio complex Sgr B region also exhibits K alpha lines of FeI, FeXXV and FeXXVI. The 6.7 keV line (FeXXV) map exhibits a local excess at (l,b) = (0.612, 0.01), and could be a new young SNR. The 6.4 keV image is clumpy with local excesses near Sgr B2 and at (l,b) = (0.74, -0.09). Like Sgr B2, this latter excess may be another X-ray reflection Nebulae (XRN).

Download