Optical spectroscopy to determine redshifts and verify classification methods will be obtained for a significant, representative subset. The optically identified ChaMP X-ray selected sample will enable us to address several key questions already posed by a variety of research areas in astronomy while no doubt providing the surprises that usually result from new levels of sensitivity and resolution. A non-cluster comparison field shows no such excess. Open circles are the 15 Galactic Plane fields. Circle sizes indicate Chandra exposure times ranging from 1 to 190 ksec.
Larger circles correspond to longer expsure times.
Nancy Evans For each Chandra observing cycle, fields will be selected which fulfill well-defined ChaMP selection criteria. Two surveys using different Galactic latitude cuts are defined. A similar number of fields are expected each year for the ChaMP's projected 5 year duration. The wide availability of optical catalogs and surveys at the bright end of this range allows us to design an efficient identification program using existing material where possible. At fainter optical magnitudes no catalogs are currently available 3 .