Emission lines in X-ray spectra of clusters of galaxies reveal the presence
of heavy elements in the diffuse hot plasma (the Intra Cluster Medium, or ICM)
in virial equilibrium in the dark matter potential well. The relatively simple
physical state of the ICM allows us to estimate, with good accuracy, its
thermodynamical properties and chemical abundances. These measures put strong
constraints on the interaction processes between the galaxies and the
surrounding medium, and have significant impact on models of galaxy formation
as well. This field is rapidly evolving thanks to the X-ray satellites Chandra
and XMM-Newton. Among the most relevant progresses in the last years, we
briefly discuss the nature of cool cores and the measure of the Iron abundance
in high redshift clusters. Future X-ray missions with bolometers promise to
provide a substantial step forward to a more comprehensive understanding of the
complex physics of the ICM.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures, Proceedings of the VI Serbian Conference on
Spectral Line Shapes in Astrophysics, Sremski Karlovci, Serbia June 11-15
200
