Interstellar Chemistry with X-rays
X-ray spectroscopy can reveal the presence and abundance of heavy elements in space. Many of these — including magnesium, silicon, iron, and oxygen — are widely suspected to be the main constituents of interstellar dust. I will describe experiments that directly probe the composition of dust grains along the line of sight to luminous X-ray sources.
X-ray spectroscopy can reveal the presence and abundance of heavy elements in space. Many of these — including magnesium, silicon, iron, and oxygen — are widely suspected to be the main constituents of interstellar dust. I will describe experiments that directly probe the composition of dust grains along the line of sight to luminous X-ray sources.
