Outflows from ellipticals: the role of supernovae

Abstract

Models of SN driven galactic winds for ellipticals are presented. We assume that ellipticals formed at high redshift and suffered an intense burst of star formation. The role of supernovae of type II and Ia in the chemical enrichment and in triggering galactic winds is studied. In particular, several recipes for SN feed-back together with detailed nucleosynthesis prescriptions are considered. It is shown that SNe of type II have a dominant role in enriching the interstellar medium of elliptical galaxies whereas type Ia SNe dominate the enrichment and the energetics of the intracluster medium.

6 pages, 3 figures, to appear in the Proceedings of IAU Symposium No. 212 'A Massive Star Odissey, from Main Sequence to Supernova'