On the Crucial Cluster Andrews-Lindsay 1 and a 4% Distance Solution for its PN

TL;DR

This study refines the fundamental parameters of the open cluster Andrews-Lindsay 1 and confirms its association with the planetary nebula PHR 1315-6555, providing a highly precise distance measurement of 10.0 kpc.

Contribution

It presents new multiband photometry and kinematic analysis that accurately determine cluster parameters and establish the planetary nebula as a cluster member with a 4% distance uncertainty.

Findings

Cluster distance: 10.0±0.4 kpc

Confirmed PN-cluster association

Distance measurement precision: 4%

Abstract

Andrews-Lindsay 1 is a pertinent open cluster granted it may host the planetary nebula PHR 1315-6555, yet ambiguities linger concerning its fundamental parameters (>50% scatter). New multiband BVJHW(1-4) photometry for cluster and field stars, in concert with observations of recently discovered classical Cepheids, were used to constrain the reddening and velocity-distance profiles along the sight-line. That analysis yielded the following parameters for the cluster: E(J-H)=0.24+-0.03, d=10.0+-0.4 kpc (d(JH)=9.9+-0.6 kpc, d(BV)=10.1+-0.5 kpc), and log(t)=8.90+-0.15. The steep velocity-distance gradient along l~305 indicates that two remote objects sharing spatial and kinematic parameters (i.e., PHR 1315-6555 and Andrews-Lindsay 1) are associated, thus confirming claims that the PN is a cluster member (e.g., Parker et al.). The new distance for PHR 1315-6555 is among the most precise yet established for a Galactic PN (err_d=4%).