Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2001-01-20
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
15 pages, Latex, 6 figures (gif), accepted for Bulletin of the Astronomical Society of India
Scientific paper
We present new CCD photometry of the distant old open star cluster Berkeley 32 in Johnson V and Cousins I passbands. A total of about 3200 stars have been observed in a field of 13X13 arcmin**2. The colour-magnitude diagram in V, (V-I) has been generated down to V = 22 mag. A broad but well defined main sequence is clearly visible. Some blue stragglers, a well developed subgiant branch and a Red Clump are also seen. By fitting isochrones to this CMD as well as to other CMDs available in the literature, and using the Red Clump location, the reddening, distance and age of the star cluster have been determined. The cluster has a distance of 3.3 kpc, its radius is about 2.4 pc; the reddening E(B-V) is 0.08 mag and the age is 6.3 Gyr. By comparison with theoretical isochrones, a metallicity of [Fe/H]= -0.2 dex has been estimated. We find a much flatter mass function than what has been found for young clusters. If the mass function is a power law dN/dm = const.*m**alpha, then we get alpha = -0.5+-0.3 in the mass range 0.6-1.1 solar masses. This may be seen as a signature of the highly evolved dynamical state of the cluster.
Richtler Tom
Sagar Ram
No associations
LandOfFree
A study of the old galactic star cluster Berkeley 32 does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with A study of the old galactic star cluster Berkeley 32, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and A study of the old galactic star cluster Berkeley 32 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-655755