Alpha Persei Cluster X-Ray Source Catalog from XMM-Newton

A catalog of 102 X-ray sources detected by the XMM-Newton satellite in a 60-ks observation of part of the Alpha Persei open cluster. The table, created by NASA's HEASARC in June 2014, includes 39 sources identified as cluster members based on 2MASS photometry. It extends the X-ray luminosity distribution for M dwarfs in this young, nearby cluster.

Use Cases

• Study X-ray luminosity distributions in young open clusters based on the cataloged source properties.
• Identify and analyze cluster membership based on X-ray detections and associated 2MASS photometry.
• Compare X-ray emission between M dwarfs and hotter stars in the Alpha Persei cluster.
• Investigate background stellar populations using the identified hotter stars at approximately 500 pc.

Strengths

• Contains 102 X-ray sources with 39 identified as cluster members.
• Based on a 60-ks observation from the XMM-Newton satellite's EPIC cameras.
• Focuses on a well-studied, nearby (170 pc) and lightly reddened young cluster.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data is from a single archival observation covering only a fraction of the cluster.

Provenance

Source

NASA HEASARC, based on CDS Catalog J/AJ/145/143.

Collection Method

Analysis of an archival XMM-Newton observation.

Time Range

Observation date: 2000 September 5.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 20:14:53.218268; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Pointing centered at RA: 3h 26m 16s, Dec: 48° 50' 29s (J2000.0).