We propose a 500 ks, 8 days long, EPIC observation of rho Oph. Due to itsdistance (virgul 140 pc), angular extent and strong absorption from a backgroundcloud rho Oph is the best target for an XMM-Newton study of the complexphenomena at work in star forming regions. It hosts a wide range of YSOs fromClass I and 0 to the Class II and III objects. About 90 YSOs ranging from ClassI to Class III with pn rate > 1 cnt/ks fall in the proposed EPIC fov. For allsuch YSOs we will obtain spectacular data that will allow breaking new groundsby studying variability on a variety of time scales (flares, rotationalmodulations, enigmatic long-term variations) and by characterizing spectravariations in search of the signature of accretion and/or circumstellar fluorescent plasma.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2005-03-08T14:51:59Z/2005-03-18T04:37:12Z
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, Prof Salvatore Sciortino, 2006, 'A Very Deep XMM-Newton Study of the rho Oph Star Forming Region', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-gkxcpp5
