Enrichment in the Centaurus cluster of galaxies

We perform a detailed spatially resolved, spectroscopic, analysis of the core of the Centaurus cluster of galaxies using a deep Chandra X-ray observation and XMM-Newton data. The Centaurus cluster core has particularly high metallicity, up to twice the solar values, and we measure the abundances of Fe, O, Ne, Mg, Si, S, Ar, Ca and Ni. We map the distribution of these elements in many spatial regions, and create radial profiles to the east and west of the centre. The ratios of the most robustly determined elements to iron are consistent with solar ratios, indicating that there has been enrichment by both Type Ia and Type II supernovae. For a normal initial stellar mass function, the metallicity peak represents the products of about 4 x 10(10) M-circle dot of star formation. This star formation can have occurred continuously at a rate of 5 M-circle dot yr(-1) for the past 8 Gyr or more, or was part of the formation of the central galaxy at earlier times. Either conclusion requires that the inner core of the Centaurus cluster has not suffered a major disruption within the past 8 Gyr, or even longer.