When and how were the elements created and dispersed?

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The dispersal of metals from galaxies can occur as starbursts drive out hot gas that is both heated and enriched by supernovae. This metal-enriched gas is detected with current X-ray missions, but IXO is needed to measure the hot gas flow velocity using high-throughput spectroscopic imaging, and, in turn, to determine the galactic wind properties and their effects.

The distribution of metal abundances in the Milky Way, including both the gas and dust components, will be mapped using absorption line measurements along hundreds of lines of sight. On smaller scales, emission from gaseous remnants of supernovae seen with IXO will offer a comprehensive three-dimensional view of the ejecta composition and velocity structure, allowing detailed studies of nucleosynthesis models for individual explosions.

For more information, refer to IXO Astro 2010 Decadal White Papers:

1. Formation of the Elements, J. Hughes et al.
2. Measuring the Gas and Dust Composition of the Galactic ISM and Beyond, J. Lee et al.
3. Starburst Galaxies: Outflows of Metals and Energy into the IGM, David K. Strickland et al.