A Very Deep XMM-Newton Study of the rho Oph Star Forming Region

We propose a 500 ks, 8 days long, EPIC observation of rho Oph. Due to itsdistance (virgul 140 pc), angular extent and strong absorption from a backgroundcloud rho Oph is the best target for an XMMNewton study of the complexphenomena at work in star forming regions. It hosts a wide range of YSOs fromClass I and 0 to the Class II and III objects. About 90 YSOs ranging from ClassI to Class III with pn rate > 1 cnt/ks fall in the proposed EPIC fov. For allsuch YSOs we will obtain spectacular data that will allow breaking new groundsby studying variability on a variety of time scales (flares, rotationalmodulations, enigmatic longterm variations) and by characterizing spectravariations in search of the signature of accretion and/or circumstellar fluorescent plasma. truncated!, Please see actual data for full text [truncated!, Please see actual data for full text]