FU Orionis objects (FUors) are a remarkable class of low-mass pre-main-sequencestars that are undergoing disk accretion at very high rates. Classical FUorshave all experienced dramatic optical outbursts attributed to a sudden increasein the disk accretion rate. Because of their youth and strong accretion, FUorsshould be X-ray sources. However, X-ray observations are almost non- existent.We detected the prototype FU Ori in a short 17 ksec XMM-EPIC observation inAO-3, but the data are affected by high background radiation. We propose here toreobserve FU Ori and to obtain first observations of the three other knownclassical FUors. These observations will define the properties of this newlydiscovered class of X-ray sources.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2005-04-03T13:10:55Z/2005-11-27T04:16:46Z
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 Stephen Skinner, 2006, 'X-rays from Classical FU Orionis Stars', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-3ejkdzl
