We know from observations that globular clusters are efficient catalysts informing unusual close binary systems and their offspring, and we seek to explorethis phenomenon in rich open clusters. We propose a uniform survey of 8 nearbyclusters spanning a range of ages and metallicities. The large field of view,high sensitivity, and spatial resolution of XMM are well-matched to such asurvey. Similar studies of globulars, undertaken by us, have revealed a linkbetween a cluster.s internal dynamics and its population of X-ray sources. Wewill examine this link in a regime of stellar density and encounter frequencythat is only accessible via the study of open clusters. In addition, UV andU-band photometry will be invaluable to our ongoing studies of open cluster binaries.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2008-05-05T15:42:04Z/2008-10-15T07:39:53Z
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 David Pooley, 2009, 'An XMM-Newton Survey of Rich Open Clusters', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-rercq3l
