Sejong Open Cluster Survey. I. NGC 2353

TL;DR

This study presents detailed photometric analysis of NGC 2353, determining its distance, age, binary fraction, and initial mass function, revealing an elliptical shape and an older age than previously thought.

Contribution

First comprehensive CCD photometry and analysis of NGC 2353 within the Sejong Open Cluster Survey, including new estimates of its physical parameters and stellar population characteristics.

Findings

Distance to NGC 2353 is 1.17 kpc.

Cluster age is log(age)=8.1.

Binary fraction is approximately 48%.

Abstract

UBVI CCD photometry of NGC 2353 is obtained as part of the "Sejong Open cluster Survey" (SOS). Using the photometric membership criteria we selelct probable members of the cluster. We derive the reddening and distance to the cluster, i.e. E(B-V) = 0.10 +/- 0.02 mag and 1.17 +/- 0.04 kpc, respectively. We find that the projected distribution of the probable members on the sky is elliptical in shape rather than circular. The age of the cluster is estimated to be log(age)=8.1 +/- 0.1, older than what was found in previous studies. The minimum value of binary fraction is estimated to be about 48 +/- 5 percent from a Gaussian function fit to the distribution of the distance moduli of the photometric members. Finally, we also obtain the luminosity function and the initial mass function (IMF). The slope of the IMF is Gamma = -1.3 +/- 0.2.