Schmidt survey in the Galactic anticentre direction. 1. Investigation of open clusters

A study of four open clusters in the direction of the Galactic anticentre (l = 186°, b = +2°) is presented. In a field of 8.32 square degrees proper motions and B magnitudes for about 79 000 stars down to 19.5 were determined on Tautenburg Schmidt plates. For more than 15 500 of them U magnitudes down to 17.3 could be obtained. Additionally, OCA Schmidt plates were used to determine V, R magnitudes in a larger field of 24.45 square degrees for 271 000 stars down to V = 18.2. For stars brighter than V = 15.5 an accuracy of about 1.5 mas/yr has been estimated for proper motions. The rms errors of stellar magnitudes and colour indices are 0.09 – 0.12 mag. Several open clusters have been already known in this direction of the sky, e.g. NGC 2168 or M 35 (C 0605+243), NGC 2158 (C 0604+241) and IC 2157 (C 0601+240). Inspecting the plates and analysing the colour-magnitude diagrams and published data, we could identify an additional anonymous cluster C 0605+242 with a projection on the sky near the centre of M 35 but at a larger distance from the Sun. The cluster membership determination was carried out using information on spatial and proper motion distributions of stars in the field. The colour-magnitude diagrams were derived down to the limiting stellar magnitude. For each cluster the interstellar extinction A_v, the diameters of the core and corona, the ages and spatial velocity components (V,W) relative to the LSR in the Y,Z – Galactic directions were determined. The distances to the clusters of 960 pc, 2 600 pc, 2 520 pc and 3 700 pc were obtained for M 35, IC 2157, C 0605+242 and NGC 2158. They show the loci of the clusters in the Local and Perseus spiral arms and at external border of Perseus arm, respectively.     

Schmidt plate survey towards the Galactic centre. 2. Stellar statistics in the direction of the Sagittarius-Carina arm

A study of the structure and kinematics of the Galaxy from Tautenburg Schmidt plates taken towards the Galactic centre (l = 17.0°, b = +0.8°) is presented. Proper motions and B, V magnitudes were determined for about 36 500 stars up to the limiting magnitude V = 16^m.8 in a field of 8.95 square degrees. Proper motion accuracy of about 3 mas/year has been obtained for stars brighter than V = 15^m. The rms errors of stellar magnitudes and (B–V) colours is about 0.1 mag. The majority of field stars in the survey are main sequence stars and red giants of the disk. They belong to the Local or Sagittarius-Carina arms, or they are located between these spiral arms. Comparing the modelled and observed distributions of magnitudes and colours, we specified the interstellar extinction determined in the preceding study of open clusters in this field. The luminosity function towards the Galactic centre was determined for stars with absolute magnitudes from -4^m.35 to +9^m. Kinematical and spatial distribution parameters up to 4 kpc from the Sun were obtained as a function of galactocentric distance.     

A revisit to agglomerates of early‐type Hipparcos stars

We study the spatial structure and sub‐structure of regions rich in Hipparcos stars with blue B_T – V_T colours. These regions, which comprise large stellar complexes, OB associations, and young open clusters, are tracers of on‐going star formation in the Galaxy. The DBSCAN (Density‐Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise) data clustering algorithm is used to look for spatial overdensities of early‐type stars. Once an overdensity, “agglomerate”, is identified, we carry out a data and bibliographic compilation of their star member candidates. The actual membership in agglomerate of each early‐type star is studied based on its heliocentric distance, proper motion, and previous spectro‐photometric information. We identify 35 agglomerates of early‐type Hipparcos stars. Most of them are associated to previously known clusters and OB associations. The previously unknown P Puppis agglomerate is subject of a dedicated study with Virtual Observatory tools. It is actually a new, nearby, young open cluster (d ∼ 470 pc, age ∼ 20 Ma) with a clear radial density gradient.We list P Puppis and other six agglomerates (including NGC 2451 A, vdBH 23, and Trumpler 10) as new sites for substellar searches because of their youth, closeness, and spatial density. We investigate in detail the sub‐structure in the Orion, CMa‐Pup and Pup‐Vel OB complexes (“super‐agglomerates”). We confirm or discover some stellar overdensities in the Orion complex, like the 25 Ori group, the Horsehead region (including the σ Orionis cluster), and the η Orionis agglomerate. Finally, we derive accurate parallactic distances to the Pleiades, NGC 2451 A, and IC 2391, describe several field early‐type stars at d < 200 pc, and discuss the incompleteness of our search. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Johnson‐Cousins magnitudes of comparison stars in the fields of ten Seyfert galaxies

We present UBVR_CI_C magnitudes of 49 comparison stars in the fields of the Seyfert galaxies Mrk 335, Mrk 79, Mrk 279, Mrk 506, 3C 382, 3C 390.3, NGC 6814, Mrk 304, Ark 564, and NGC 7469 in order to facilitate the photometric monitoring of these objects; 36 of the stars have not been calibrated before. The comparison stars are situated in 5 × 5 arcmin fields centred on the Seyfert galaxies, their V band flux ranges from 11.7 to 18.2 mag with a median value of 16.3 mag, and their B – V colour index ranges from 0.4 to 1.6 mag with a median value of 0.8 mag. The median errors of the calibrated UBVR_CI_C magnitudes are 0.08, 0.04, 0.03, 0.04, and 0.06 mag, respectively. Comparison stars were calibrated for the first time in three of the fields (Mrk 506, 3C 382, and Mrk 304). The comparison sequences in the other fields were improved in various aspects. Extra stars were calibrated in four fields (Mrk 335, Mrk 79, NGC 6814, and NGC 7469) – most of these stars are fainter and are situated closer to the Seyfert galaxies compared to the existing comparison stars. The passband coverage of the sequences in five fields (Mrk 335, Mrk 79, Mrk 279, NGC 6814, and Ark 564) was complemented with the U band. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

The color‐magnitude diagram of NGC 2264

Existing photometry for NGC 2264 tied to the Johnson & Morgan (1953) UBV system is reexamined and, in the case of the original observations by Walker (1956), reanalyzed in order to generate a homogeneous data set for cluster stars. Color terms and a Balmer discontinuity effect in Walker's observations were detected and corrected, and the homogenized data were used in a new assessment of the cluster reddening, distance, and age. Average values of E_{B – V} = 0.075 ± 0.003 s.e. and V₀ –M_V = 9.45 ± 0.03 s.e. (d = 777 ± 12 pc) are obtained, in conjunction with an inferred cluster age of ∼5.5 × 10⁶ yr from pre‐main‐sequence members and the location of the evolved, luminous, O7 V((f)) dwarf S Mon relative to the ZAMS. The cluster main sequence also contains gaps that may have a dynamical origin. The dust responsible for the initial reddening towards NGC 2264 is no more than 465 pc distant, and there are numerous, reddened and unreddened, late‐type stars along the line of sight that are difficult to separate from cluster members by standard techniques, except for a small subset of stars on the far side of the cluster embedded in its gas and dust and background B‐type ZAMS members of Mon OB2. A compilation of likely NGC 2264 members is presented. Only 3 of the 4 stars recently examined by asteroseismology appear to be likely cluster members. NGC 2264 is also noted to be a double cluster, which has not been mentioned previously in the literature (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

uvby photometry of open clusters

Für insgesamt 40 Stern im Gebiet des verfärbten offenen Haufens NGC 6871 erhieken wir eine uvby Photometric. 21 dieser Sterne klassifizierten definitely as members. From the photometric results we derived 1.2 × 10⁷ years as the cluster age, 2440 pc as its distance, and E(b - y)) = 0.348 mag as mean reddening of the cluster. From the scatter around this mean colour excess and the deviation of a subgroup of stars by more than twice the standard deviation a varible intracluster reddening in order of 0.1 mag is indicated. The value of the colour excess ratio E(b - y)/E(B - V) = 0.705 for the cluster stars leads us to the conclusion that the very broadband structure (VBS) in the spectra of the cluster stars must be very weak. Für insgesamt 40 Stern im Gebiet des verfärbten offenen Haufens NGC 6871 erhielten wir eine uvby Photometrie. 21 dieser Sterne klassifizieren wir definitiv als Haufenmitglieder. Aus den photometrischen Ergebnissen leiteten wir ein Haufenalter von 1.2 × 10⁷ Jahren, eine Entfernung von 2440 pc und eine Verfärbung E (b - y) = 0.348 mag ab. Aus der Streuung um diesen mittleren Farbexzeß und der Tatsache, daß eine Gruppe von Sternen um mehr als die doppelte Standardabweichung von diesem Wert differiert, läßt sich eine Verfärbung innerhalb des Haufens in der Größenordnung von 0.1 mag vermuten. Aus der Größe des Farbexzeßverhältnisses E(b - y )/E(B - V) = 0.705 schließen wir, daß die Breitbandstruktur (VBS) in den Spektren der Haufensterne nur sehr schwach ausgeprägt sein kann.     

Photometry of the open cluster NGC 6996 in the North America Nebula

Thirty stars in the direction of the open cluster NGC 6996 are measured in the Vilnius photometric system. Photometric spectral types, absolute magnitudes, interstellar reddenings, extinctions, and distances are determined for most of them. Fifteen stars are suspected to be cluster members. Their mean distance is 620±30 pc and mean extinctionA _v is 1.74 mag. The extinction within the cluster is variable. The age of the cluster is of the order of 10⁸ yr and this excludes the possibility that it is evolutionary related with the North America and Pelican Nebulae complex. The distance of this complex 550 pc is confirmed.     

A search for variable stars in the open clusters NGC7209, NGC1582 and Dolidze 18

CCD time-series photometric observations are presented for the stars in the fields of the open clusters NGC7209, NGC1582 and Dolidze 18 in Johnson V, together with some photometric observations in R, and B. The results reveal 14 variable stars in the three clusters in total, among which 13 are newly-discovered variables. With color–magnitude diagrams and color–color diagram, memberships of the variable stars are estimated. With the derived light curves, scales of time and amplitude of variability of these variable stars are obtained. Together with the spectral types due to the estimation of color temperatures, possible types of the variable stars are preliminarily discussed.     

Combined UBV and uvby photometry of open clusters. I. NGC 1502

For at all 24 stars in the field of the heavity reddened open cluster NGC 1502 we obtained UBV and uvby photometry. 19 of these stars we classified definitely as members. From the photometric results we derived 1·1 × 10⁷ years as the cluster age, 960 pc as its distance, and <E(B—V)> = 0·78 mag as mean reddening of the cluster. From the reddening of the foreground stars we evaluated that the intracluster reddening has to be smaller than 0·2 mag. The value of the colour excess ratio E(b—y)/E(B—V) = 0·770 leads us to the conclusion that in the spectra of the cluster stars a very broadband structure (VBS) with a central depth of about 0·04 mag is present.     

Searching for Planetary Eclipses in Open Clusters: NGC 7086

In an attempt to discover planetary eclipses, we observed the open cluster NGC 7086. On one night we observed the cluster and standard stars through the B and V filters, enabling us to make a colour-magnitude diagram. Plots of the differential magnitudes were inspected for variability, but no planetary eclipses were found. New variable stars were discovered and their light curves show some of them to be eclipsing binary stars. The location on the colour-magnitude diagram of some of the variable stars is consistent with cluster membership.     

Stellar variability in Trumpler 24. II

We present a second season of CCD time‐series observations of Trumpler 24 in Johnson B and V obtained in 2004. 18 new variable stars are found, 15 variables discovered in Paper I are discussed, and the variability class of 5 of them is given. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Vilnius Photometry of Red Giant Stars in the Open Cluster NGC 7789

Photoelectric Vilnius seven-color photometry is presented and analyzed for a sample of 24 red giant branch and clump stars in the open cluster NGC 7789. For each star we have determined photometric spectral type, absolute magnitude, interstellar reddening, effective temperature, metallicity, and surface gravity. From averages over the stars in the sample we find the mean reddening to the cluster E _Y−V = 0.21± 0.02 (s.d.), or E _B−V = 0.25, and the apparent distance modulus (m−M) _V = 12.21± 0.10 (s.d.), which yield a distance of 1840 pc. The mean overall metallicity is found to be [Fe/H] = −0.18± 0.09 (s.d.). The clump stars, on average, appear to be slightly more metal-rich than the other red giants, which is most probably caused by evolutionary changes of carbon and nitrogen molecular bands falling in the photometric passbands. A difference in mass between the two groups of stars has also been detected, which suggests that the clump stars might have undergone extra mass loss before reaching their core He-burning phase of evolution.     

A uvbyβ photometric analysis of the Monoceros star‐forming field

This investigation presents a new analysis of the spatial distribution of the bright early‐type stars in the field of Northern Monoceros. A database of all O–B9 stars with available uvbyβ photometry is collated and a homogeneous distance scale is established for the clusters and layers of field stars. We provide revised distances for NGC 2264 and NGC 2244 of 833±38 (s.e.) pc and 1585±60 (s.e.) pc, respectively. We present arguments that there might be substructures in the clusters projected along the line of sight. According to the present sample the classical Mon OB2 association at 1.6 kpc is represented by a relatively compact group at 1.26 kpc in the vicinity of NGC 2244 and a layer of massive stars located between 1.5 and 3 kpc (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Der offene sternhaufen NGC 6067

The open star cluster NGC 6067 was investigated by the strip method on charts of photographs with different exposure times taken with the 1-m Schmidt telescope of the European Southern Observatory. Because of the large distance (1820 pc) of the cluster its luminosity function is known up to date only betweenM _v =–4.5 andM _v =+1.5. In this paper it is continued toM _v =4.4 and further extrapolated by means of 2 variants. The cluster contains 419 respectively 476 stars with total masses of 1453 resp. 1483. On account of its radius of 5.9 pc the cluster is a rather extended object, which can be described by the generalized density law of Schuster withn=4.42 and the central star density 8.9 stars pc^–3. The mean velocity of the stars amounts to 1.03 km s^–1, the massbrightness relation is 0.031 in solar units.

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Mitteilungen Serie A.     

Homogenized Hertzsprung‐Russell diagram for the open cluster NGC 188

We considered some selected published stellar catalogues with B – V and V values for the open cluster NGC 188 and estimated the errors from data comparisons. The results are used to homogenize the data by averaging with weights inversely proportional to the errors squared. A recent calibration by Casagrande et al. (2010) of B – V versus effective temperatures for F, G, and K dwarfs and subgiants is used to produce the homogenized effective temperatures for the cluster stars. A homogenized Hertzsprung‐Russell diagram (relationship between the effective temperatures and the absolute magnitudes) is presented and analysed. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Photometry of young starlike objects in the dwarf galaxy NGC 2976— age and metallicity

We present BVI_c photometry of the brightest stars andcompact star clusters in NGC 2976, a dwarf galaxy in the interacting M81/M82 group. Deep CCD images of the galaxy were obtained with the 6m‐Telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory (Russia) at arcsec resolution. About 290 young stars and concentrated young clusters were measured. Supplementary data in the ultraviolet are taken from the literature. The extinction to the measured objects is comparatively low, E(B — V) ∼ 0.15 .. 0.20 mag. We estimate the ages of youngest resolved stars and concentrated star clusters to be ∼5 · 10⁶ years. This population is concentrated in a broad stripe facing M81. In the central disk the population is a bit older, about 8 · 10⁶ years, this may be a hint to an outward spreading star formation process. The metallicity of the disk population is estimatedas solar (z ∼ 0.02) from a fitting to Padova theoretical stellar isochrones.     

Spectroscopy of B and Be stars in the diffuse stellar clusters NGC 6871 and NGC 6913

This is a study of the population of B and Be stars in the young, relatively poor, diffuse stellar clusters NGC 6871 and NGC 6913. High resolution spectra are used to study the Hα line of eleven stars in order to detect emission. Emission profiles were found for three stars in the cluster NGC 6871; one of these is a known WR-star and the Be-star BD +35°3956 demonstrates the transition from the B to the Be phase. Spectra of seven of the B stars revealed no traces of emission in the Hα line. During the time of our observations, the Be star V1322 Cyg in the cluster NGC 6913 had a strong emission Hα line profile with substantial variability in intensity and equivalent width. Moderate resolution spectra of seven stars in the cluster NGC 6871 over wavelengths of 4420-4960 ? and ten stars in the cluster NGC 6913 over wavelengths of 4050-5100 ? are used to classify the series of B and Be stars spectrally and to estimate their T _eff and log g. It was found that three of the stars are not members of the clusters NGC 6871 or NGC 6913. Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 52, No. 2, pp. 257–274 (May 2009).     

Photometric survey near the Main Galactic Meridian: 1. Photoelectric stellar magnitudes and colours in the UBVR system

A catalogue of photoelectric stellar magnitudes and colours in the UBVR Johnson system in 47 sky areas with galaxies near the Main Galactic Meridian is presented. The catalogue includes 1141 stars within the V magnitude interval 4^m.5–15^m.5. The rms errors are ±0.014, ±0.026, ±0.012, ±0.016 mag for stellar magnitudes V and colours (U – B),(B – V),(V – R), respectively. The catalogue contains accurate equatorial coordinates (α, δ)1950.0, too.     

Analysis of the mass functions for three open star clusters

Based on our own observational data, we have constructed the mass functions for three young-and intermediate-age Galactic star clusters, Trumpler 2, NGC 7243, and NGC 1513. Their mean slopes Γ fall within the Scalo range: Γ = ?1.7 ± 0.5 for 1M _⊙ < M < 10M _⊙. For each of the clusters, we also analyze the mass distribution of their members as a function of the distance to the center. Noticeable mass segregation in the sense of massive-star concentration toward the cluster center has been detected in Trumpler 2 and NGC 7243. Deviations from rectilinearity in the same direction are observed at log M ≈ 0.41 in each of the three zones of Trumpler 2, which can be interpreted as a small dip in the mass function. We have found peculiarities in NGC 1513 that are difficult to explain by observational selection alone. Comparison of our results with similar studies reveals a similarity in radial Γ distribution for NGC 7243 with h Per and for Trumpler 2 with IC 1805.     

Effects of rotation on the colours and line indices of stars 1. The alpha Persei cluster

Analysis of the available observational data for the α-Persei cluster members shows that rotation effects on the intermediate-band indices c₁ and (u-b) are considerable. In c₁, rotation produces a reddening of 0.040 magnitudes per 100 km s^-1 In (u-b) the effect for B stars is found to be 0.06 magnitudes per 100 km s^-1 ofV sin i. The binaries and peculiar stars are found to behave differently in the colour excess (due to rotation) versusV sin i diagrams. These empirical effects can be utilised to recalibrate these colour indices and also to separate members that are either chemically peculiar or in binary systems.