New star clusters discovered towards the Galactic bulge direction using Gaia DR2

TL;DR

This paper reports the discovery of 34 new open clusters near the Galactic bulge using Gaia DR2 data, enhancing the understanding of cluster distribution and properties in this dense region.

Contribution

The study introduces a systematic method for identifying and characterizing new open clusters in the Galactic bulge area using Gaia DR2, expanding the known cluster catalog.

Findings

34 new open clusters identified and characterized.

32 clusters are within 2 kpc of the Sun, increasing nearby cluster data.

The Sagittarius arm's cluster distribution appears incomplete or interrupted.

Abstract

We report the discovery of 34 new open clusters and candidates as a result of a systematic search carried out in 200 adjacent fields of 1x1 square degrees area projected towards the Galactic bulge, using Gaia DR2 data. The objects were identified and characterized by a joint analysis of their photometric, kinematic and spatial distribution, which has been consistently used and proved to be effective in our previous works. The discoveries were validated by cross-referencing the objects position and astrometric parameters with the available literature. Besides their coordinates and astrometric parameters, we also provide sizes, ages, distances and reddening for the discovered objects. In particular, 32 clusters are closer than 2 kpc from the Sun, which represents an increment of nearly 39% of objects with astrophysical parameters determined in the nearby inner disk. Although these objects fill an important gap in the open clusters distribution along the Sagittarius arm, this arm, traced by known clusters, appears to be interrupted, which may be an artifact due to the incompleteness of the cluster census.