A large population of infrared dark clouds (IRDCs) was recently discovered as anew component of the cold interstellar medium, inside which infrared and radiostudies provide evidence for massive star formation. They are thought torepresent the earliest phases of the formation of star clusters and massivestars. We propose to observe one of the closest massive IRDCs with XMM-Newton,as the first X-ray study of this new population of objects. This 84 ks EPICobservation of G053.11+00.05 will quantitatively measure the embedded stellarpopulations, especially the low mass stars that XMM-Newton effectivelyidentifies. The goals are to evaluate the roles of IRDCs in the formation ofstar clusters and massive stars, and to constrain the current theories of clustered massive star formation.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2008-03-29T12:34:28Z/2008-03-30T06:40:19Z
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, Mr Junfeng Wang, 2009, 'A First X-ray View of Infrared Dark Clouds comma Precursors to Star Clusters', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-38i990p
