NGC 2264 X-Ray Point Source Catalog from XMM-Newton Observations

Observations from March 2001 and March 2002 by the XMM-Newton spacecraft EPIC cameras targeted the young star cluster NGC 2264. The catalog contains 316 distinct X-ray point sources, with 300 identified with optical or near-infrared counterparts, merged with photometry, spectral classifications, and rotation periods. The data was produced by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to study relationships between coronal activity, rotation, and stellar structure in pre-main-sequence stars.

Use Cases

• Modeling the correlation between X-ray luminosity and stellar mass based on the reported L_X ~ (M/M_solar)^1.5 relationship.
• Analyzing the influence of circumstellar disks on X-ray activity using near-infrared color excess (E(H-K)) and fractional X-ray luminosity data.
• Studying age distributions within young clusters using derived median ages (~2.5 Myr) and age dispersions (~5 Myr) from pre-main-sequence models.
• Investigating connections between chromospheric and coronal activity by examining correlations between fractional X-ray and H-alpha luminosities for T Tauri stars.

Strengths

• Contains 316 distinct X-ray point sources detected at >= 3-sigma levels, with 300 having identified optical or near-infrared counterparts.
• Data is merged with multiple extant datasets including optical/NIR photometry, spectral classifications, H-alpha strengths, and rotation periods.
• Observations have a nominal integration time of 42 ks for both northern and southern cluster pointings, providing substantial exposure.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment for specific analytical needs.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

X-ray imaging survey conducted with the European Photon Imaging Cameras (EPIC) on board the XMM-Newton spacecraft.

Time Range

Observations from 2001-03-20 and 2002-03 17-18.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 18:21:23.497649; freshness should be verified.

Geography

The young star cluster NGC 2264, concentrated near S Mon, a southwestern nebulosity, and a ridge extending from the Cone Nebula.