092269

We propose deep XMM-Newton observations of two lenticular galaxies: NGC 3665 (75ks) and NGC 4526 (110 ks). Taking advantage of both the RGS and EPICinstruments we aim to probe for the first time the chemical composition (viathe O/Fe and Mg/Fe ratios) and accurate thermodynamical profiles (andmorphologies) of hot atmospheres at the yet unexplored regime ofintermediate-mass galaxies. Measuring and comparing the X-ray properties ofthese two optically very different galaxies will provide significant insight on(i) the origin of hot atmospheres pervading lenticular (and spiral) galaxiesand (ii) the thermal feedback at play in these systems (compared to that ofellipticals galaxy groups and clusters). [truncated! Please see actual data for full text]