XMM-Newton observations are powerful discriminants between young stars and theold field population because of the well known relation between the age of lowmass stars and their X-ray strength. We use this property to identify youngresolved physical companions of Cepheids and also low mass members of clusterscontaining Cepheids. This will probe the maximum separation in Cepheid binaries,a diagnostic of star formation. The target list contains the 5 brightestCepheids in the recent analysis of Cepheids in clusters (Anderson, et al. 2013).This project will identify low mass cluster members which provide a calibrationof the distances of clusters.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2015-03-13T09:10:05Z/2015-03-13T20:31:45Z
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 Nancy Remage Evans, 2016, 'Cepheid Associates: Star Formation and Distance Calibration', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-4c5qsib
