X-ray spectroscopy of Eta Carinae with XMM-Newton
  We present XMM-Newton observations of the luminous star Eta Carinae, including a high resolution soft X-ray spectrum of the surrounding nebula obtained with the Reflection Grating Spectrometer. The EPIC image of the field around Eta Car shows many early-type stars and diffuse emission from hot, shocked gas. The EPIC spectrum of the star is similar to that observed in previous X-ray observations, and requires two temperature components. The RGS spectrum of the surrounding nebula shows K-shell emission lines from hydrogen- and helium-like nitrogen and neon and L-shell lines from iron, but little or no emission from oxygen. The observed emission lines are not consistent with a single temperature, but the range of temperatures observed is not large, spanning ~0.15-0.6 keV. We obtain upper limits for oxygen line emission and derive a lower limit of N/O > 9. This is consistent with previous abundance determinations for the ejecta of Eta Car, and with theoretical models for the evolution of massive, rotating stars. 
Maurice A. Leutenegger, Steven M. Kahn, Gavin Ramsay