This joint Chandra/XMM mosaic of W4/W3/HB3 allows us to chronicle the X-rayoutput of the entire life cycle of high mass stars, from their intrinsic andwind collision emission, through their SN phase, and back to the embedded,protostellar X-rays heralding the next generation of massive star formation. Inaddition we see the feedback of these massive stars on the interstellar mediumin the Perseus Arm: the stellar winds from a massive young cluster (IC 1805)have blown the W4 superbubble and chimney; perhaps an older superbubble is over100 times brighter in X-rays due to supernovae in its interior (HB3), and theexpansion of these bubbles is compressing the W3 molecular cloud and triggeringa new generation of stars to form.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2005-02-16T20:37:25Z/2005-03-05T19:59:13Z
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 Leisa Townsley, 2006, 'Massive star Life comma Death comma and rebirth in the Perseus Arm', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-j01wmi1
