We have analyzed 17 early-type galaxies, 13 ellipticals and 4 S0s, observed with Suzaku, and investigated metal abundances (O, Mg, Si, and Fe) and abundance ratios (O/Fe, Mg/Fe, and Si/Fe) in the interstellar medium (ISM). The emission from each on-s
ource region, which is 4 times effective radius, r_e, is reproduced with one- or two- temperature thermal plasma models as well as a multi-temperature model, using APEC plasma code v2.0.1. The multi-temperature model gave almost the same abundances and abundance ratios with the 1T or 2T models. The weighted averages of the O, Mg, Si, and Fe abundances of all the sample galaxies derived from the multi-temperature model fits are 0.83+-0.04, 0.93+-0.03, 0.80+-0.02, and 0.80+-0.02 solar, respectively, in solar units according to the solar abundance table by Lodders (2003). These abundances show no significant dependence on the morphology and environment. The systematic differences in the derived metal abundances between the version 2.0.1 and 1.3.1 of APEC plasma codes were investigated. The derived O and Mg abundances in the ISM agree with the stellar metallicity within a aperture with a radius of one r_e derived from optical spectroscopy. From these results, we discuss the past and present SN Ia rates and star formation histories in early-type galaxies.
We performed spectral analysis of Suzaku data of the galactic disk and outflow regions of the starburst galaxy M82. Thermal modeling of the central disk regions requires at least three temperature components. The Ly$beta$ line fluxes of O VIII and Ne
X exceed those expected from a plasma in collisional ionization equilibrium. The ratios of Ly$beta$/Ly$alpha$ lines for O VIII and Ne X are higher than those of collisional ionization equilibrium, which may be caused by the process of charge exchange. In the outflow wind region, the spectra are well reproduced with two-temperature thermal models, and we have derived the metal abundances of O, Ne, Mg, and Fe in the outflow. The ratios of O/Fe, Ne/Fe, and Mg/Fe are about 2, 3, and 2, respectively, relative to the solar value determined by Lodders (2003). Since there is no evidence of charge exchange in outflow region, the metal abundances should be more reliable than those in the central region. This abundance pattern indicates that starburst activity enriches the outflow through SN II metal ejection into intergalactic space.
The Suzaku X-ray satellite observed the nearby S0 galaxy NGC 1316, a merger remnant aged 3 Gyr. The total good exposure time was 48.7 ksec. The spectra were well represented by a two-temperature thermal model for the interstellar medium (ISM) plus a
power-law model. The cool and hot temperatures of the thermal model were 0.48 +/- 0.03 and 0.92 +/- 0.04 keV, respectively. The excellent spectral sensitivity of Suzaku enables for the first time to measure the metal abundances of O, Ne, Mg, Si, and Fe in the ISM. The resultant abundance pattern of O, Ne, Mg, Si, and Fe is close to that of the new solar abundance determined by Lodders (2003). The measured abundance pattern is compared with those of elliptical galaxies and an S0 galaxy, observed with Suzaku. Considering the metal-enrichment from present Type Ia supernovae, the near-solar abundance pattern of the ISM in NGC~1316 indicates an enhanced {alpha}/Fe ratio of stellar materials in the entire galaxy, like in giant elliptical galaxies.
The Suzaku X-ray satellite observed the nearby spiral galaxy NGC 4258 for a total good exposure time of 100 ks. We present an analysis of the Suzaku XIS data, in which we confirm that the 0.5--2 keV spectra of the interstellar medium (ISM) are well-r
epresented by a two-temperature model. The cool and hot ISM temperatures are 0.23+-0.02 and 0.59 +-0.01 keV, respectively. Suzakus excellent spectral sensitivity enables us to measure the metal abundances of O, Ne, Mg, Si and Fe of the ISM for the first time. The resultant abundance pattern of O, Mg, Si, and Fe is consistent with that of the new solar abundance table of Lodders (2003), rather than Anders & Grevesse (1989). This suggests that the metal enrichment processes of NGC 4258 and of our Galaxy are similar.
