Interpretation of the First Results of the\\Diffuse X-ray Spectrometer (DXS)
Session 8 -- General ISM, Dust
Display presentation, Monday, 9:20-6:30, Pauley Room

## [8.08] Interpretation of the First Results of the\\Diffuse X-ray Spectrometer (DXS)

R.J.Edgar, W.T.Sanders, M.Juda, W.L.Kraushaar, D.McCammon (U.Wisconsin--Madison)

We present an interpretation of the first spectra of the soft X-ray background in the energy range $0.15 < E < 0.284\ {\rm keV}$, or wavelength range $44 < \lambda < 83\ {\rm \AA}$. These spectra were obtained by the Diffuse X-ray Spectrometer (DXS) during the STS-54 mission of the Space Shuttle Endeavour in January 1993. The spectrum shows emission lines, which is the first direct evidence that the soft X-ray background arises in hot interstellar gas. Tentative identifications of line blends are made, pending completion of the post-flight instrument calibrations.

We fit various models to these spectra, and present preliminary results of these fits. Equilibrium Raymond \& Smith models with solar abundances do not fit the data. Better fits can be obtained by using depleted abundances and/or young blast wave non-equilibrium models.

This work was supported by NASA contract NAS 5--26078.