Photometric study of five open star clusters

TL;DR

This study uses photometry to determine fundamental parameters like reddening, distance, and age for five open star clusters, and examines their structural evolution and mass segregation effects.

Contribution

It provides new observational data and analysis of five open clusters, including their ages, reddening, and structural properties, using $UBVRI$ photometry and theoretical models.

Findings

Reddening values range from 0.55 to 0.74 mag.

Cluster ages range from 10 to 500 million years.

Low-mass star evaporation increases with cluster evolution.

Abstract

$UBVRI$ photometry of the five open clusters Czernik 4, Berkeley 7, NGC 2236, NGC 7226 and King 12 has been carried out using ARIES 104 cm telescope, Nainital. Fundamental cluster parameters such as foreground reddening $E(B-V)$, distance, and age have been derived by means of the observed two colour and colour-magnitude diagrams, coupled to comparisons with theoretical models. $E(B-V)$ values range from 0.55 to 0.74 mag, while ages derived for these clusters range from $\sim$10 to $\sim$500 Myr. We have also studied the spatial structure, mass function and mass segregation effects. The present study shows that evaporation of low mass stars from the halo of the clusters increases as they evolve.