FU Orionis objects (FUors) are a remarkable class of low-mass pre-main-sequencestars that undergo dramatic optical outbursts attributed to an increase of theaccretion rate onto the star. Little is known about their X-ray properties butwe have recently obtained first detections of unusual X-ray emission from theprototype FU Ori and hard X-rays from the FUor 1735 Cyg. We propose here toobserve five additional FUors with EPIC, of which two are classical FUors withhistorical outbursts (V346 Nor, Reipurt50N) and three are spectroscopic FUorswhich may be outburst precursors. These observations will double the number ofFUors observed in X-rays and provide a larger sample needed to reliablydetermine the X-ray properties of the class and identify emission mechanisms.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2007-05-23T09:44:16Z/2007-05-23T19:29:06Z
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, 2008, 'X-rays from FU Orionis Stars', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-7ug68yl
