Dynamical Evolution of Four Old Galactic Open Clusters traced by their constituent stars with \textit{Gaia} DR3

TL;DR

This study analyzes four old galactic open clusters using Gaia DR3 data to understand their dynamical evolution and segregation of different stellar populations.

Contribution

It applies the ML-MOC algorithm to Gaia DR3 data to identify cluster members and assesses their segregation, revealing varying degrees of dynamical evolution among the clusters.

Findings

Berkeley 39 and NGC 6819 show moderate population segregation.

NGC 7789 exhibits mass segregation mainly in radial distributions.

Collinder 261 shows high segregation of blue straggler stars.

Abstract

We investigate the evolutionary stages of four open clusters, Berkeley 39, Collinder 261, NGC 6819, and NGC 7789, of ages ranging from 1.6 -- 6 Gyr. These clusters have previously been classified into dynamically young and intermediate age groups based on the segregation level of BSS with respect to red giant branch stars and main sequence stars, respectively. We identify members of these four clusters using the ML-MOC algorithm on Gaia DR3 data. To examine the relative segregation of cluster members of different evolutionary stages, we utilize cumulative radial distributions, proper motion distributions, and spatial distributions in galactocentric coordinates. Our analysis shows that Berkeley 39 and NGC 6819 exhibit moderate signs of population-wise segregation from evolved to less-evolved members. NGC 7789 shows signs of mass segregation only in the cumulative radial distributions. On the other hand, Collinder 261 exhibits high segregation of BSS in the cumulative radial distribution, while other populations show the same level of segregation.