We propose to observe with EPIC the environment of the runaway O star AE Aur.This high proper motion star is presently crossing a dense region of the inter-stellar medium, giving rise to the emission nebula IC 405, and this is an ideallaboratory for the study of induced star formation, under the influence of amassive star alone. Newly formed protostellar objects, although embedded intheir parental cloud, should be clearly detected in the proposed X-rayobservation, on the basis of evidence from other star-forming regions. Theproposed 50ks observation would therefore provide a clear test of the effecti-veness of induced star-formation processes around massive stars, much clearerthan possible in the more complex environment of other star-forming regions.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2004-09-10T02:31:04Z/2004-09-10T18:53:22Z
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 FRANCESCO DAMIANI, 2006, 'INDUCED STAR FORMATION AROUND THE RUNAWAY O STAR AE AUR', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-a80311z
