FU Orionis objects (FUors) are young low-mass pre-main sequence (PMS) stars thatare undergoing accretion at maximum rates 10e-4 solar masses per year. ClassicalFUors have all experienced optical outbursts attributed to a sudden increase inthe disk accretion rate. Very little is known about the X-ray properties ofthese unusual stars. We initiated a X-ray survey of FUors with XMM-Newton inAO-3 and the prototype FU Ori has been detected. Its X-ray spectrum is veryunusual compared to what is typically observed in PMS stars. We propose here tocomplete our X-ray survey of FU Ors. These observations will allow us to definethe X-ray properties of the class and will serve as a valuable historicalreference if any of our targets undergoes a future outburst.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2006-07-22T14:26:46Z/2006-10-22T10:47:03Z
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, 2007, 'X-ray Emission from FU Orionis Stars in Cygnus', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-pp5pxvc
