Newly-Discovered Regions of Star Formation in Serpens and Perseus

We shall obtain EPIC observations of two fields in Serpens centered on newlydiscovered regions of recent star formation. Spitzer IR maps of these regionsreveal dense molecular gas and numerous previously unknown PMS stars, diverse inboth mass and age. Comparison of the IR disk and Xray coronal properties willallow detailed characterization of the individual stars and investigation ofevolutionary trends in different regions. Young stars are strong Xray emittersthroughout their PMS evolution, from embedded protostars to older dustfree (andhence IRfaint) PMS stars. Xray emission provides an excellent method oftracing the entire PMS population and investigating the star formation historiesof these regions and the processes controlling the fragmentation and formation of stars. truncated!, Please see actual data for full text [truncated!, Please see actual data for full text]