Whether the strong X-ray emission of T Tauri stars (TTS) merely results from enhanced solar-type coronal activity has been recently questioned. It is likely, for instance, that the interaction between the circumstellar disk and the stellar magnetosphere gives rise to high energy phenomena that have no solar analogs. We propose here to search for X-ray eclipses in the T Tauri star AA Tau. This nearly edge-on system undergoes periodic occultations by its circumstellar disk on a week timescale in the optical range. The detection of simultaneous X-ray eclipses would set direct constraints on the nature, location and size of the X-ray emitting region in TTS.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2003-02-14T02:18:06Z/2003-02-28T11:57:31Z
Version
17.56_20190403_1200
Mission Description
The European Space Agencys (ESA) X-ray Multi-Mirror Mission (XMM-Newton) was launched by an Ariane 504 on December 10th 1999. XMM-Newton is ESAs second cornerstone of the Horizon 2000 Science Programme. It carries 3 high throughput X-ray telescopes with an unprecedented effective area, and an optical monitor, the first flown on a X-ray observatory. The large collecting area and ability to make long uninterrupted exposures provide highly sensitive observations. Since Earths atmosphere blocks out all X-rays, only a telescope in space can detect and study celestial X-ray sources. The XMM-Newton mission is helping scientists to solve a number of cosmic mysteries, ranging from the enigmatic black holes to the origins of the Universe itself. Observing time on XMM-Newton is being made available to the scientific community, applying for observational periods on a competitive basis.
European Space Agency, Dr Jerome Bouvier, 2004, 'Mapping AA Tau.s X-ray emitting region using disk occultations', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-zootdxp
