To better understand how Earth-like planets form around low-mass stars, wepropose to study the UV (HST), X-ray (XMM), and optical (LCOGT) variability ofthe young star T Cha. Changing sight lines through the disk allow measurement ofthe temperature and column density, and the physical properties of the dustgrains, as well as determining the gas-to-dust ratio. Three 5 orbit visits,separated by 3-7 days, are required for use of analysis techniques comprisingboth differential pair-method comparison of spectra with differing A_v anddetailed spectral fitting of gas absorption features at each epoch. The innerdisk of T Cha allows study of the gas and dust structure in the terrestrialplanet formation zone during this important rapid phase of protoplanetary disk evolution.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2018-02-22T03:38:26Z/2018-03-02T07:30:36Z
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 Alexander Brown, 2019, 'Inner Disk Structure and Transport Mechanisms in the Transitional Disk around T', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-8kxpjqk
