A protoplanet orbiting the T Tauri star LkCa 15 has recently been detected usinga new IR masked aperture technique. It is so far unique, being the only knownprotoplanet around a young star (age 2 Myr). As such, the exoplanet andconditions in the transition disk will place tight constraints on planetformation models. We have detected bright X-ray emission from LkCa 15 in a short9.8 ks Chandra exposure. We propose here a deeper follow-up observation with XMMEPIC that will reliably determine the X-ray absorption, plasma temperaturedistribution, and spectral hardness. These quantities are key inputs todisk-heating and planet formation models and when combined with existingoptical/IR data will allow the gas-to-dust ratio in the disk to be determined.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2014-02-20T19:12:34Z/2014-02-21T06:02:34Z
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, 2015, 'LkCa 15: An Accreting T Tauri Star Orbited by a Young Planet', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-rxx1gxw
