Deep and extensive CCD photometric observations at UBV(RI)cH{alpha} were carried out in the area of the open cluster NGC 3293. The new data set allows to see the entire cluster sequence down to Mv~+4.5, revealing that stars with Mv<-2 are evolving off the main sequence; stars with -2<Mv<+2 are located on the main sequence and stars with Mv>+2 are placed above it. According to our analysis, the cluster distance is d=2750+/-250pc (V0-Mv=12.2+/-0.2) and its nuclear age is 8+/-1Myr. NGC 3293 contains an important fraction of pre-main sequence (PMS) stars distributed along a parallel band to the ZAMS with masses from 1 to 2.5M_{sun}_ and a mean contraction age of 10Myr. This last value does not differ too much from the nuclear age estimate. If we take into account the many factors that may affect the PMS star positions on the colour-magnitude diagram, both ages can be perfectly reconciled. The star formation rate, on the other hand, suggests that NGC 3293 stars formed surely in one single event, therefore favouring a coeval process of star formation. Using the Halpha data, we detected nineteen stars with signs of Halpha emission in the region of NGC 3293, another indication that the star formation process is still active in the region. The computed initial mass function for the cluster has a slope of x=1.2+/-0.2, a bit flatter than the typical slope for field stars and similar to the values found for other young open clusters.
UBVRI H{alpha} CCD photometry has been obtained fro the young cluster NGC 2264. Using (R-H{alpha}) color, a measure of H{alpha} emission, we selected member stars in the pre-main sequence (PMS) stage.
We present a comprehensive multiwavelength analysis of the young cluster NGC 1624 associated with the HII region Sh2-212 using optical UBVRI photometry, optical spectroscopy and GMRT radio continuum mapping along with the near-infrared (NIR) JHK archival data.
The analysis of our deep UBVRIJHK photometry of Dolidze 25, located in the central area of the HII region Sh 2-284, reveals a young cluster with coeval MS and PMS populations of age 3.2-5Myr. The mass function for the optical PMS population in the mass range above 1.3-3.5M_{sun}_ is well fitted by a Salpeter mass function. On the other hand, the NIR photometry results indicate a large number of sources with H-Ks excess, practically distinct from the optical PMS candidate members. In addition, a distinctly older cluster member population of age 40Myr is suggested. The distance determined for the cluster from quantitative fits to ZAMS and isochrones (3.6kpc) is distinctly lower than previously published values. This result originates in the consistent use of low metallicity models for ZAMS fitting, applying published metallicity values for the cluster
We present CCD UBVI photometric and medium/high resolution spectroscopic observations obtained in the field of the previously unstudied dissolving open cluster candidates NGC 5385, NGC 2664 and Collinder 21. Our analysis is based on the discussion of star counts, photometry, radial velocity distribution, and proper motions available from the Tycho 2 catalogue (<I/259>). All three aggregates clearly emerge from the mean Galactic field, but, regrettably, the close scrutiny of proper motions and radial velocities reveals that we are not facing any physical group. Instead, what we are looking at are just chance alignments of a few bright unrelated stars. Our analysis casts some doubt on the Bica et al. (2001A&A...366..827B) criterion to look for Possible Open Cluster Remnants. It seems mandatory to define a better criterion to adopt for further investigations.
The three open clusters Be 15, Be 80 and NGC 2192 have been observed using CCD UBV(RI)C photometry at the San Pedro Martir Observatory, Mexico within the framework of our open-cluster survey. The fundamental parameters of interstellar reddening, distance and age have been derived, and also the metallicity for NGC 2192 (solar metallicity has been assumed for the other two).
UBVRI photoelectric photometry was obtained in the field of the open cluster Tr 18. From the analysis of the data we confirm that several distant OB stars were wrongly assumed as cluster members in previous investigations. The true distance modulus is 10.95, equivalent to a distance of 1550pc with the adopted age of (9.0+/-1.0)x10^7^yr. The GH Car Cepheid variable is very much probably a cluster member in view of its spatial position and the average absolute magnitude. However, some arguments are given to suggest that the reality of this cluster is still an open question. The observations in the Cousins system were carried out during 9 nights in April 1989 at Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory, with a single channel photometer attaéched to the 60cm Lowell telescope. The positions and identifications with large astrometric surveys was achieved by B. Skiff (Lowell Obs.) in 2010.
The very luminous blue supergiant HD 80077 has been claimed to be a member of the young open cluster Pismis 11, and hence a hypergiant. Membership of the cluster would mean that it is one of the brightest stars in the Galaxy, and one of the few evolved very massive stars whose distance can be accurately determined. We carry out a comprehensive study of the open cluster Pismis 11, which allows us to derive with accuracy its distance and reddening. We obtained UBVRI photometry of the cluster field and low-resolution spectroscopy of a number of putative members. We derive spectral types from the spectra and determine that the reddening in this direction is standard. We then carry out a careful photometric analysis that allows us to determine individual reddening values, deriving unreddened parameters that are used for the main sequence fit.
We present UBVRI photometry of the open cluster NGC 2422 (age~10^8^yr) down to a limiting magnitude V=~19. These data are used to derive the Luminosity and Mass Functions and to study the cluster spatial distribution. By considering the color-magnitude diagram data and adopting a representative cluster main sequence, we obtained a list of candidate cluster members based on a photometric criterion.