NGC 1624 (OCl 403, Cr 53) – A very young open cluster

We present the first CCD photometric UBVRI observations of the not-so-well-studied open cluster NGC 1624 (OCl 403, Cr 53; α₂₀₀₀ = 04 h 40 m 36 s; δ₂₀₀₀ = + 50^˚ 27^′ 42″ Trumpler class = I 2 p N). This cluster was observed on 01 February 2004 with the 2 m Himalayan Chandra Telescope at Hanle using a LN2 cooled 2k × 2k CCD. The cluster presents differential reddening with E(B-V) values ranging from 0.70 to 0.90 mag, which could be attributed to the presence of the HII region wherein the cluster is embedded. It is found to be at a distance of 6.025 ± 0.5 kpc and the age of this cluster is estimated to be ∼3.98 × 10⁶ years. In view of these parameters, it can be considered as a young enough cluster located in the direction of the Perseus constellation with the galactic coordinates of l = 155^˚.35 and b = + 02 ^˚.58. Thus it could also be used as a suitable candidate for tracing the Outer Perseus spiral arm of our Galaxy. The initial mass function slope is derived as 1.65 ± 0.25 by applying the corrections for field star contamination and data incompleteness. This is in good agreement with the Salpeter value within the limits of errors.