Rosette Molecular Cloud: 395 Chandra X-Ray Point Sources and Stellar Populations

The Rosette Molecular Cloud region was surveyed using the Chandra X-ray Observatory to locate young stars. A total of 395 X-ray point sources are cataloged, with 299 having optical or near-infrared counterparts, and the data suggests a total young star population of approximately 1700. This table was created by NASA's HEASARC in July 2009 based on published research.

Use Cases

• Analyzing the spatial distribution of young stars based on smoothed stellar surface density maps.
• Studying disk fractions and stellar ages across different subregions of the molecular cloud.
• Investigating triggered star formation mechanisms around H II regions using X-ray source data.
• Identifying and characterizing high-mass protostars and their associated clusters, such as RMCX 89.

Strengths

• Contains 395 X-ray point sources with a clear distinction between 348 primary and 47 tentative sources.
• Includes optical and infrared counterpart information for 299 sources (76% of the catalog).
• Provides X-ray spectroscopic information derived for 158 sources with photometric significance >= 2.0.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data was created in 2009; freshness should be verified for current research.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA HEASARC)

Collection Method

Based on a merger of electronic tables from a published astrophysical journal paper.

Time Range

Observation date not specified; catalog created in July 2009.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 18:16:02.447682; freshness should be verified

Geography

Rosette Molecular Cloud region, assumed distance of 1.4 kiloparsecs.