New fundamental parameters of the Galactic open clusters Berkeley 26, Czernik 27, Melotte 72, NGC 2479 and BH 37

TL;DR

This study provides new fundamental parameters for five Galactic open clusters, including the first detailed analysis of BH 37, using deep CCD photometry and isochrone fitting to determine their ages, distances, and reddening.

Contribution

It offers the first detailed photometric analysis of BH 37 and refines parameters for other clusters using CCD UBVI photometry and isochrone fitting techniques.

Findings

Estimated ages for Berkeley 26, Melotte 72, and NGC 2479.

Determined reddening and distance for NGC 2479.

First detailed study of BH 37.

Abstract

We have obtained CCD UBVI_{KC} photometry down to V ~ 21.0 for the open clusters Berkeley 26, Czernik 27, Melotte 72, NGC 2479 and BH 37. The latter has never been studied before. Cluster stellar density profiles were obtained from star counts in appropriate-sized boxes distributed throughout the entire observed fields. Based on different measured indices, we estimate the ages of Berkeley 26, Melotte 72 and NGC 2479. On the other hand, we indicate possible solutions for the cluster fundamental parameters by matching theoretical isochrones which reasonably reproduce the main cluster features in their CMDs. In the case of NGC 2479, the cluster E(B-V) and E(V-I) colour excesses and apparent distance modulus were estimated from the fit of the Zero-Age Main Sequence (ZAMS) to the colour-colour and colour-magnitude diagrams, respectively.