XMM-Newton Observation of the {\alpha} Persei Cluster

TL;DR

This study analyzes XMM-Newton data of the {lfa} Persei cluster, identifying X-ray sources, including cluster members and background stars, and extending the X-ray luminosity distribution for M dwarfs.

Contribution

It provides new X-ray observations of the {lfa} Persei cluster, expanding the X-ray luminosity distribution for M dwarfs and identifying background stellar populations.

Findings

102 X-ray sources detected in the cluster region

39 sources associated with cluster members based on photometry

Extended the X-ray luminosity distribution for M dwarfs

Abstract

We report on the analysis of an archival observation of part of the {\alpha} Persei cluster obtained with XMM-Newton. We detected 102 X-ray sources in the band 0.3-8.0 keV, of which 39 of them are associated with the cluster as evidenced by appropriate magnitudes and colors from 2MASS photometry. We extend the X-ray Luminosity Distribution (XLD) for M dwarfs, to add to the XLD found for hotter dwarfs from spatially extensive surveys of the whole cluster by ROSAT. Some of the hotter stars are identified as a background, possible slightly older group of stars at a distance of approximately 500 pc.