Diffuse X-ray emission from the spiral galaxy NGC 2403 discovered with

We have detected diffuse soft X-ray emission (0.4−1 keV) from the disk of the spiral galaxy NGC 2403 with Chandra. This diffuse emission (with a total luminosity of 2.1 × 10 38 erg s −1 and a gas temperature of 2−8 × 10 6 K) is well separated from the numerous bright point sources. NGC 2403 is a luminous spiral galaxy with a high rate of star formation. Recent H I observations have revealed an extended H I halo with anomalous velocities and a general inflow towards the central regions of the galaxy. This result and the present detection of a diffuse, hot X-ray emitting gas point at a very active disk-halo connection and galactic fountain types of phenomena.