NGC 2264 Chandra X-Ray Point Source Catalog with 263 Sources

The NGC 2264 star-forming region was observed by NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory on 2002 February 9 for 48.1 ks. This catalog contains 263 X-ray sources, with data on luminosity, variability, and optical/infrared photometry, created by the HEASARC in February 2007. The authors identified 41 variable sources and found photometry consistent with most objects being pre-main sequence stars younger than 3 Myr.

Use Cases

• Identify and analyze variable X-ray sources based on the 41 flagged variable sources and flare-like light curves.
• Study stellar evolution by correlating X-ray data with optical and infrared photometry for pre-main sequence stars.
• Distinguish between cluster members and extragalactic objects based on the presence or absence of optical/infrared counterparts.
• Model X-ray luminosity and variability patterns in a young star-forming region.

Strengths

• Contains 263 distinct X-ray sources from a dedicated 48.1 ks Chandra observation.
• Includes multi-wavelength data with optical and infrared photometry for cross-identification.
• Provides variability analysis, identifying 41 variable sources including 14 with flare-like light curves.
• Offers clear astrophysical interpretation, with 81% of sources having optical/infrared counterparts and 51 likely extragalactic.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Last updated 2026-03-13 19:18:44.730319; freshness should be verified.

Provenance

Source

NASA HEASARC, based on CDS table J/AJ/127/2659.

Collection Method

Observation with Chandra's Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer imaging array (ACIS-I).

Time Range

Observation date 2002 February 9.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 19:18:44.730319; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Field in the NGC 2264 star-forming region.