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    PR # 31114                                                                   
     Through ASCA observations, low-level thermal X-ray emission has been        
     detected from many spiral galaxies with enhanced activities. In order       
      to examine whether the thermal emission indicates activities such as       
      low-luminosity AGN (LLAGN) and burst-like star formation, we propose       
      to observe NGC2903 and NGC628 (M74). These objects are both normal,        
     face-on, nearby (6-9 Mpc), optically luminous galaxies, without indic       
     ation of either LLAGN or enhanced star formation. We plan to search f       
     or thermal X-ray emission that may arise from hot plasmas in these qu       
     iescent galaxies, in comparison with more active spirals.                   
                                                                                 
                                                                                 
                                                                                 
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