arXiv subjects

Geeta Rangwal

Publications and source records attributed to Geeta Rangwal.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Blue Straggler Stars in Berkeley 18: A Multiwavelength Study of Their Physical Properties and Dynamical Evolution

Berkeley~18 is an old open cluster in the outer Galactic disk that hosts a population of blue straggler stars (BSSs). We present a comprehensive multiwavelength analysis of its BSS population using \textit{Gaia} DR3 astrometry, optical--infrared photometry, and time-domain TESS observations. Using a Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) in astrometric space, we identify 798 high-probability cluster members ($p > 0.7$). Isochrone fitting yields an age of $3.2 \pm 0.2$ Gyr and a heliocentric distance of $5.01^{+0.75}_{-0.55}$ kpc. We identify 24 BSS candidates above the main-sequence turn-off. Spectral energy distribution (SED) modelling reveals effective temperatures of $6000$--$8500$ K, radii of $1.4$--$5.7\,R_\odot$, and luminosities of $3.3$--$38\,L_\odot$, indicating a heterogeneous population spanning multiple evolutionary stages. The BSS population exhibits only a mild central concentration, with a low $A^{+}$ parameter and an extremely low stellar collision-rate proxy, implying weak mass segregation and an inefficient collisional channel. We find no significant photometric variability among the BSS candidates within TESS's sensitivity limits. Although WISE W3/W4 data initially suggested possible mid-infrared excesses, detailed image inspection and SPHEREx spectrophotometry indicate that these are caused by background contamination and blending, with no clear evidence of circumstellar dust. The structural parameters derived from King-profile fitting ($r_c = 6.91^{+0.91}_{-0.73}$ arcmin, $r_t = 13.23^{+0.44}_{-0.43}$ arcmin) indicate a dynamically evolved, low-density system. Together, these results suggest that dynamical interactions are inefficient in Berkeley~18 and that binary evolution is likely the dominant formation channel of BSSs.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2026

Multiwavelength Study of Blue Straggler Stars in Tombaugh 2: Evidence for Binary Mass Transfer and Constraints on Cluster Dynamical State

We present a focused multiwavelength study of blue straggler stars (BSSs) in the intermediate-age open cluster Tombaugh 2, located in the outer Galactic disk, to constrain the dominant formation pathways of BSSs in a low-density environment. Cluster members are identified using Gaia DR3 astrometry through a Gaussian Mixture Model, yielding a clean sample of high-probability members. Color-magnitude diagram analysis indicates an age of 1.74 Gyr. The radial surface density profile is well described by a King model, indicating a centrally concentrated overall structure, while the cluster exhibits only weak or no clear evidence of mass segregation among its stellar populations. We identify 26 BSS candidates and 2 YSS candidates. Spectral energy distributions constructed from ultraviolet, optical, and infrared photometry reveal that 9 BSSs (32%) exhibit significant ultraviolet excess, indicating an additional hot component. Binary SED decomposition identifies stripped companions with effective temperatures Teff $\sim$ (1.5-8) $\times$ 10$^4$ K and radii R $\sim$ 0.04-0.28 R_$\odot$, consistent with proto-white dwarfs, extremely low-mass pre-helium white dwarfs, and young hot remnants formed through recent mass transfer. A slight central concentration of BSSs, together with stripped companions, suggests that binary mass transfer is an important formation channel, with no evidence for merger-driven formation. Multi-epoch VLT/FLAMES spectroscopy reveals radial-velocity variability in several systems, providing independent evidence for binarity. Our results highlight that optical-infrared photometric analyses alone may fail to detect hot compact companions, while spectroscopy and ultraviolet observations provide complementary constraints, with ultraviolet data offering a direct probe of such companions in intermediate-age open clusters.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2025

Dynamical and Photometric Analysis of NGC 146 and King 14: Evidence for a Co-Moving, Unbound Cluster Pair

To understand the nature of the NGC 146-King 14 cluster pair, we conducted a detailed photometric, astrometric, and dynamical study using multiwavelength data from Gaia DR3, Pan-STARRS1, WISE, and TESS. Using a probabilistic approach, we identified 770 and 690 high-probability members of NGC 146 and King 14, respectively. Both clusters exhibit well-defined radial density profiles consistent with King models. We estimate the cluster ages as 20 $\pm$ 5 Myr and 50 $\pm$ 10 Myr from isochrone fitting, and distances of 2.98 $\pm$ 0.33 kpc and 2.51 $\pm$ 0.23 kpc from parallaxes after applying the Bailer-Jones criteria. The clusters show consistent mean proper motions. The mass function slopes (1.51 $\pm$ 0.18 and 1.50 $\pm$ 0.15) are close to the Salpeter value, and the extinction follows a normal Galactic reddening law (RV ~ 3.1). Three-dimensional mapping gives a projected separation of ~ 9 pc. Orbit integration using the galpy MWPotential2014 model shows that NGC 146 and King 14 move in nearly circular, disk-like orbits with similar mean orbital radii (Rm ~ 9 kpc) and orbital periods of roughly 255 Myr. A dynamical separation of ~ 32 pc indicates that both clusters share a common spatial and kinematic association, consistent with a co-moving pair. However, their relative velocity exceeds the escape velocity set by their combined mass, indicating they are not gravitationally bound. TESS light curves reveal seven variable stars, including $\gamma$ Doradus, SPB stars, and eclipsing binaries, though only one is a likely member. Overall, the clusters likely formed within the same giant molecular cloud and now exist as an unbound co-moving pair.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

Revisiting the Orbital Dynamics of the Hot Jupiter WASP-12 b with New Transit Times

In this study, we examine the transit timing deviations of the extensively studied hot Jupiter WASP-12 b using a comprehensive dataset of 391 transit light curves. The dataset includes 7 new photometric observations obtained with the 1.3 m Devasthal Fast Optical Telescope, the 0.61 m VASISTHA telescope, and the 0.3 m AG Optical IDK telescope, along with 119 light curves from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), 97 from the Exoplanet Transit Database (ETD), 34 from the ExoClock Project, and 134 from previously published sources. To ensure homogeneity and precision, we modeled all 391 light curves and determined their mid-transit times. A detailed transit timing analysis revealed a significant orbital decay rate of $-31.97 \pm 0.80~\mathrm{ms~yr^{-1}}$, corresponding to a stellar tidal quality factor of $Q'_\star = (1.52 \pm 0.038) \times 10^{5}$, thereby confirming that the orbit of WASP-12 b is indeed decaying rapidly. Furthermore, the computation of model selection metrics ($\chi^2_r$, BIC, AIC) favors orbital decay as the most likely explanation. However, the presence of an eccentricity above the threshold value allows apsidal precession to remain a viable alternative. We also derived a planetary Love number of $k_p = 0.63 \pm 0.089$, consistent with Jupiter's value, suggesting a similar internal density distribution. In this study, orbital decay is strongly supported, as a plausible cause of the timing deviations observed in WASP-12 system. Continued high-precision monitoring will be essential to further constrain the system's orbital evolution.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2025

Unveiling Dynamics and Variability in Open Clusters: Insights from a Comprehensive Analysis of Six Galactic Clusters

We present a kinematic and dynamical analysis of six Galactic open clusters NGC~2204, NGC~2660, NGC~2262, Czernik~32, Pismis~18, and NGC~2437, using \textit{Gaia}~DR3. We used Bayesian and Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) methods to identify cluster members, but chose GMM because it's more appropriate for low-mass stars. Estimated distances range from 1.76 to 4.20~kpc and ages from 0.199 to 1.95~Gyr, confirming their intermediate-age nature. King model fits indicate compact morphologies, with core radii of 1--10~arcmin and cluster radii of 5--24~arcmin. We identify 13 BSS and 3 YSS members, whose central concentrations suggest origins via mass transfer or stellar collisions. The mass function slopes (0.96--1.19) are flatter than the Salpeter value, which indicates that these clusters have undergone dynamical mass segregation. Orbit integration within a Galactic potential indicates nearly circular orbits (eccentricities 0.02--0.10), vertical excursions within $\pm$132~pc, and guiding radii near the solar circle, suggesting disk confinement. These clusters likely formed in the thin disk and are shaped by Galactic tidal perturbations, facilitating the rapid loss of low-mass members. Additionally, twelve variable stars were found across four clusters using \textit{TESS} light curves, including $\gamma$~Doradus and SPB pulsators, eclipsing binaries, and a yellow straggler candidate. Periods were derived via Lomb-Scargle analysis. Two eclipsing binaries (TIC~94229743 and TIC~318170024) were modeled using PHOEBE, yielding mass ratios of 1.37 and 2.16, respectively. Our findings demonstrate that integrating orbital dynamics and variable star studies presents valuable insights into the evolutionary pathways of open clusters.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

Detection of young massive white dwarfs in core-collapsed globular cluster NGC 362

Core-collapsed globular clusters are ideal targets to explore the presence of stellar collision products. Here, we have studied seventeen FUV bright white dwarf members in the globular cluster NGC 362 using data obtained from the Ultra Violet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) mounted on AstroSat and from HST. Multi-wavelength spectral energy distributions (SEDs) are analyzed using UV and optical data sets to characterize and determine the parameters of white dwarfs. Fourteen of the white dwarfs fit single-component SEDs well, while three showed a good fit with a two-component SED model,indicating a binary system comprising a white dwarf and a low-mass main-sequence star. The effective temperature, radius, luminosity, and mass of white dwarfs range between 22000 - 70000 K, 0.008 - 0.028 Rsun, 0.09 - 3.0 Lsun, and 0.30 - 1.13 Msun, respectively. The effective temperature, radius, luminosity, and mass of the companions (low-mass main-sequence stars) are 3500 - 3750 K, 0.150 - 0.234 Rsun,0.003 - 0.01 Lsun, and 0.14 - 0.24 Msun, respectively. The three binary systems (WD-MS), along with the massive WDs may have formed through dynamical processes that occurred during the core collapse of the cluster. This is the first evidence of a massive WD formation in a core-collapsed cluster, which is the missing link in the formation of a fast radio burst (FRB) progenitor in a globular cluster. This study provides evidence that NGC 362 hosts stellar systems that may evolve into exotic stars such as Type Ia supernovae, and/or FRBs in the future. *This is paper VI of the Globular Cluster UVIT Legacy Survey.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2024

Orbits and vertical height distribution of 4006 open clusters in the Galactic disk using Gaia DR3

Open clusters (OCs) in the Galaxy are excellent probes for tracing the structure and evolution of the Galactic disk. We present an updated catalog of parameters for 1,145 OCs, estimated using the Gaia DR3 data earlier listed in Cantat-Gaudin et al. (2020). This sample is complemented by 3,677 OCs from the catalog by Hunt & Reffert (2023). Using the Galaxy potential and the space velocities, orbits of 4,006 OCs were computed. We provide a catalog with orbital parameters such as eccentricity, perigalactic and apogalactic distance, and the maximum vertical height traced by OCs from the Galactic disk. The OCs were found to be distributed between 5-16 kpc from the Galactic center, with older OCs showing a radially extended distribution. The low number of old OCs in the inner Solar circle region likely suggests their destruction in this area. We derive a quantitative expression for the dependency of the maximum vertical height (Z_max) OCs can reach with the cluster's age and Galactocentric radius for the first time. The young and intermediate-age OCs show similar values of Z_max till 9 kpc, with the latter group having higher values beyond. OCs older than 1 Gyr show larger values of Z_max at all Galactocentric radii and significantly larger values beyond 9 kpc. Higher values of Z_max are found in the third Galactic quadrant, suggesting a link between these higher values and the Galactic warp. This sample shows that young OCs are also involved in the diagonal ridge formation in the solar neighborhood.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2024

Early-phase simultaneous multiband observations of the Type II supernova SN 2024ggi with Mephisto

We present early-phase good-cadence (hour-to-day) simultaneous multiband ($ugi$ and $vrz$ bands) imaging of the nearby supernova SN~2024ggi, which exploded in the nearby galaxy, NGC 3621. A quick follow-up was conducted within less than a day after the explosion and continued $\sim$23 days. The $uvg$ band light curves display a rapid rise ($\sim$1.4 mag day$^{-1}$) to maximum in $\sim$4 days and absolute magnitude $M_{g}\sim$--17.75 mag. The post-peak decay rate in redder bands is $\sim$0.01 mag day$^{-1}$. Different colors (e.g., $u-g$ and $v-r$) of SN~2024ggi are slightly redder than SN 2023ixf. A significant rise ($\sim$12.5 kK) in black-body temperature (optical) was noticed within $\sim$2 days after the explosion, which successively decreased, indicating shock break out inside a dense circumstellar medium (CSM) surrounding the progenitor. Using semianalytical modeling, the ejecta mass and progenitor radius were estimated as 1.2 $M_\odot$ and $\sim$550 $R_\odot$. The archival deep images ($g,r,i and z$ bands) from the Dark Energy Camera Legacy Survey were examined, and a possible progenitor was detected in each band ($\sim$22--22.5 mag) and had a mass range of 14--17 $M_\odot$.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2024

Exploring NGC 2345: A Comprehensive Study of a Young Open Cluster through Photometric and Kinematic Analysis

We conducted a photometric and kinematic analysis of the young open cluster NGC 2345 using CCD \emph{UBV} data from 2-m Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT), \emph{Gaia} Data Release 3 (DR3), 2MASS, and the APASS datasets. We found 1732 most probable cluster members with membership probability higher than 70$\%$. The fundamental and structural parameters of the cluster are determined based on the cluster members. The mean proper motion of the cluster is estimated to be $\mu_{\alpha}cos\delta$ = ${-1.34}\pm0.20$ and $\mu_{\delta}$= $1.35\pm 0.21$ mas $yr^{-1}$. Based on the radial density profile, the estimated radius is $\sim$ 12.8 arcmin (10.37 pc). Using color-color and color-magnitude diagrams, we estimate the reddening, age, and distance to be $0.63\pm0.04$ mag, 63 $\pm$ 8 Myr, and 2.78 $\pm$ 0.78 kpc, respectively. The mass function slope for main-sequence stars is determined as $1.2\pm 0.1$. The mass function slope in the core, halo, and overall region indicates a possible hint of mass segregation. The cluster's dynamical relaxation time is 177.6 Myr, meaning ongoing mass segregation, with complete equilibrium expected in 100-110 Myr. Apex coordinates are determined as $-40^{\circ}.89 \pm 0.12, -44^{\circ}.99 \pm 0.15$. The cluster's orbit in the Galaxy suggests early dissociation in field stars due to its close proximity to the Galactic disk.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2023

UOCS XIII. Study of the FUV bright stars in the open cluster NGC 2420 using ASTROSAT

We present the study of four FUV stars in the field of open cluster NGC 2420 using the Ultra Violet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) mounted on AstroSat. The three stars 525, 527, and 560 are members, while star 646 is a non-member of the cluster. To characterize and determine the parameters of these stars, multi-wavelength spectral energy distributions (SEDs) are analyzed using UV, optical, and IR data sets. For all four FUV bright stars, a two-component SED model fits well. Our findings indicate that two stars, 525 and 560, are binary BSS systems. These binary BSS systems may have formed in a tertiary system due to mass transfer from an evolved outer tertiary companion. Star 527 is a binary system of a BSS and an extremely low-mass (ELM) white dwarf, while Star 646 is a binary system of a horizontal branch star and an ELM white dwarf. The effective temperatures, radii, luminosities and masses of the two ELMs are (10250, 11500) K, (0.42, 0.12) Rsun, (1.61, 0.23) Lsun, and (0.186, 0.170) Msun, respectively. The star 527 could be a post-mass transfer system and may have originated through the Case A/B mass transfer process in a low-density environment. The cooling age of the ELMs is < 1 Myr, indicating that they have only recently formed.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2023

A deep study of open cluster NGC 5288 using photometric and astrometric data from Gaia DR3 and 2MASS

This paper investigates a poorly studied open cluster, NGC 5288, using 2MASS JHKS and the recently released Gaia DR3 astrometric and photometric data. The mean proper motions in Right Ascension and Declination are estimated as (-3.840 +/- 0.230) and (-1.934 +/- 0.162) mas/yr, respectively. We also derive the age and distance of the cluster as 510 +/- 190 Myr and 2.64 +/- 0.11 kpc, using colour-magnitude diagrams (CMDs). We have also obtained distance as 2.77 +/- 0.42 kpc using the parallax method. Interstellar reddening E(B-V) in the direction of the cluster is determined as 0.45 mag using the ((J - H), (J - K)) colour-colour diagram. We have found the mass function slope for main-sequence stars as 1.39 +/- 0.29 within the mass range 1.0 - 2.7 solar mass, which agrees with Salpeter's value within uncertainty. Galactic orbits are derived using the Galactic potential model, indicating that NGC 5288 follows a circular path around the Galactic center.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2023

Investigating kinematics and dynamics of three open clusters towards Galactic anti-center

We present the intra-cluster kinematics and dynamics of three open clusters: NGC 1193, NGC 2355, and King 12 by incorporating kinematical and photometric data from Gaia DR3, as well as a ground-based telescope. After selecting cluster members based on proper motion data, clusters' fundamental and structural parameters are investigated. We found the clusters at distances of 4.45, 1.97, and 3.34 kpc from the Sun in the direction of the Galactic anticenter. The luminosity function of the cluster NGC 1193 is flat, whereas it advances towards the fainter ends of the other two clusters. We observed a dip in the luminosity function of King 12. The mass function slopes for all three clusters differ from the solar neighbourhood reported by Salpeter, with NGC 1193 and NGC 2355 being flatter and King 12 having a higher value than the Salpeter value. The intra-cluster kinematics depict that stars in King 12 are moving outwards due to tidal forces from the Galactic disc, which we confirmed by plotting the cluster's orbit in the Galaxy. Stars in NGC 2355 are moving with smaller relative velocities and have zero mean relative motion, which signifies that the cluster is neither contracting nor evaporating. The Galactic orbits of NGC 1193 suggest that it is orbiting farther from the Galactic disc, and so is less impacted by the Galactic tidal forces.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2022

A deep investigation of two poorly studied open clusters Haffner 22 and Melotte 71 in Gaia era

This paper presents a deep investigation of two open clusters, Haffner 22 and Melotte 71, using astrometric and photometric data from Gaia EDR3. We identified 382 and 597 most probable cluster members with membership probability higher than 50 percent. Mean proper motion in RA and DEC are estimated as -1.63 and 2.889 respectively for Haffner 22 and -2.398 and 4.210 for Melotte 71. A comparison of observed CMDs with theoretical isochrones leads to an age of 2.25 and 1.27 Gyr for these clusters. The distances 2.88 and 2.28 kpc based on parallax are comparable with the values derived by isochrone fitting method. Five and four blue straggler stars are identified as cluster members in Haffner 22 and Melotte 71 respectively. Based on the relative number of high velocity (binary) and single stars, we inferred binary fractions for both clusters. We found binary content is larger in core region. Mass function slope is in good agreement with the Salpeter's value while it is flat for Haffner 22. Evidence for the existence of mass segregation effect is observed in both clusters. Using the Galactic potential models, Galactic orbits are derived, indicating that both clusters follow a circular path around the Galactic center, evolving slowly.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2021

Detailed analysis of the poorly studied northern open cluster NGC 1348 using multi-color photometry and GAIA EDR3 astrometry

The membership determination for open clusters in noisy environments of the Milky Way is still an open problem. In this paper, our main aim is provide the membership probability of stars using proper motions and parallax values of stars using Gaia EDR3 astrometry. Apart from the Gaia astrometry, we have also used other photometric data sets like UKIDSS, WISE, APASS and Pan-STARRS1 in order to understand cluster properties from optical to mid-infrared regions. We selected 438 likely members with membership probability higher than $50\%$ and G$\le$20 mag. We obtained the mean value of proper motion as $μ_{x}=1.27\pm0.001$ and $μ_{y}=-0.73\pm0.002$ mas yr$^{-1}$. The cluster's radius is determined as 7.5 arcmin (5.67 pc) using radial density profile. Our analysis suggests that NGC 1348 is located at a distance of $2.6\pm0.05$ kpc. The mass function slope is found to be $1.30\pm0.18$ in the mass range 1.0$-$4.1 $M_\odot$, which is in fair agreement with Salpeter's value within the 1$σ$ uncertainty. The present study validates that NGC 1348 is a dynamically relaxed cluster. We computed the apex coordinates $(A, D)$ for NGC 1348 as $(A_\circ, D_\circ)$ = $(-23^{\textrm{o}}.815\pm 0^{\textrm{o}}.135$, $-22^{\textrm{o}}.228\pm 0^{\textrm{o}}.105)$. In addition, calculations of the velocity ellipsoid parameters (VEPs), matrix elements $μ_{ij}$, direction cosines ($l_j$, $m_j$, $n_j$) and the Galactic longitude of the vertex have been also conducted in this analysis.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2021

Multi-colour photometry and Gaia EDR3 astrometry of two couples of binary clusters (NGC 5617 and Trumpler 22) and (NGC 3293 and NGC 3324)

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of two pairs of binary clusters (NGC 5617 and Trumpler 22) and (NGC 3293 and NGC 3324) located in the fourth quadrant of our Galaxy. For this purpose we use different data taken from VVV survey, WISE, VPHAS, APASS, GLIMPSE along with Gaia~EDR3 astrometric data. We identified 584, 429, 692 and 273 most probable cluster members with membership probability higher than 80 % towards the region of clusters NGC 5617, Trumpler 22, NGC 3293 and NGC 3324. We estimated the value of R as ~ 3.1 for clusters NGC 5617 and Trumpler 22, which indicates normal extinction law. The value of R ~ 3.8 and 1.9 represent the abnormal extinction law towards the clusters NGC 3293 and NGC 3324. Our Kinematical analysis show that all these clusters have circular orbits. Ages are found to be 90\pm10 and 12\pm3 Myr for the cluster pairs (NGC 5617 and Trumpler 22) and (NGC 3293 and NGC 3324), respectively. The distances of 2.43\pm0.08, 2.64\pm0.07, 2.59\pm0.1 and 2.80\pm0.2 kpc estimated using parallax are alike to the values calculated by using the distance modulus. We have also identified 18 and 44 young stellar object candidates present in NGC 5617 and Trumpler 22, respectively. Mass function slopes are found to be in fair agreement with the Salpeter's value. The dynamical study of these objects shows a lack of faint stars in their inner regions, which leads to the mass-segregation effect. Our study indicates that NGC 5617 and Trumpler 22 are dynamically relaxed but the other pair of clusters are not. Orbital alongwith the physical parameters show that the clusters in both pairs are physically connected.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2021

A deep study of an intermediate age open cluster SAI 35 (Juchert 20) using ground based imaging and Gaia EDR3 astrometry

We present CCD $UBVI$ photometric study of poorly studied intermediate age open cluster SAI 35 (Juchert 20) for the first time. To accomplish this study, we also used LAMOST DR5, 2MASS, and Gaia EDR3 databases. We identified 214 most probable cluster members with membership probability higher than 50%. The mean proper motion of the cluster is found as μ_αcosδ=1.10 \pm 0.01 and μ_δ=-1.66 \pm 0.01 mas/yr. We find the normal interstellar extinction law using the various two-color diagrams. The age, distance, reddening, and radial velocity of the cluster are estimated to be 360 \pm 40 Myr, 2.9 \pm 0.15 kpc, 0.72 \pm 0.05 mag and -91.62 \pm 6.39 km/sec. The overall mass function slope for main-sequence stars is found to be 1.49\pm0.16 within the mass range 1.1-3.1 M_\odot, which is in agreement with Salpeter's value within uncertainty. The present study demonstrates that SAI 35 is a dynamically relaxed. Galactic orbital parameters are determined using Galactic potential models. We found that this object follows a circular path around the Galactic center.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2020

An investigation of poorly studied open cluster NGC 4337 using multi-color photometric and Gaia DR2 astrometric data

We present a comprehensive analysis (photometric and kinematical) of poorly studied open cluster NGC 4337 using 2MASS, WISE, APASS, and Gaia~DR2 database. By determining the membership probabilities of stars, we identified 624 most probable members with membership probability higher than $50\%$ by using proper motion and parallax data taken from Gaia~DR2. The mean proper motion of the cluster is obtained as $μ_{x}=-8.83\pm0.01$ and $μ_{y}=1.49\pm0.006$ mas yr$^{-1}$. We find the normal interstellar extinction towards the cluster region. The radial distribution of members provides a cluster radius of 7.75 arcmin (5.63 pc). The estimated age of $1600\pm180$ Myr indicates that NGC 4337 is an old open cluster with a bunch of red giant stars. The overall mass function slope for main-sequence stars is found as $1.46\pm0.18$ within the mass range 0.75$-$2.0 $M_\odot$, which is in fair agreement with Salpeter's value (x=1.35) within uncertainty. The present study demonstrates that NGC 4337 is a dynamically relaxed open cluster. Using the Galactic potential model, Galactic orbits are obtained for NGC 4337. We found that this object follows a circular path around the Galactic center. Under the kinematical analysis, we compute the apex coordinates $(A, D)$ by using two methods: (i) the classical convergent point method and (ii) the AD-diagram method. The obtained coordinates are: $(A_{conv}, D_{conv})$ = (96$^{\textrm{o}}$.27 $\pm$ 0$^{\textrm{o}}$.10, 13$^{\textrm{o}}$.14 $\pm$ 0$^{\textrm{o}}$.27) $\&$ $(A_\circ, D_\circ)$ = (100$^{\textrm{o}}$.282 $\pm$ 0$^{\textrm{o}}$.10, 9$^{\textrm{o}}$.577 $\pm$ 0$^{\textrm{o}}$.323) respectively. We also computed the Velocity Ellipsoid Parameters (VEPs), matrix elements ($μ_{ij}$), direction cosines ($l_j$, $m_j$, $n_j$) and the Galactic longitude of the vertex ($l_2$).

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2020

A Search for variable stars in the four open star clusters

We present a CCD photometric survey for the search of variable stars in four open clusters namely Berkeley 69, King 5, King 7, and Berkeley 20. The time series observations were carried out for 1 and/or 2 nights for each of the clusters in the year 1998, which have led to identify nineteen variable stars in these clusters. Out of these 19 variable stars, five stars show delta Scuti like variability and two stars show W UMa type variability. In other stars, we could not find the periods and hence the type of variability due to the lack of sufficient data. The periods of delta Scuti type stars are found to be in the range of 0.13 to 0.21 days, whereas the two stars in the cluster Berkeley 20, which showed W UMa type variability have orbital periods of 0.396 and 0.418 days, respectively. Using the Gaia data, the basic parameters of the clusters Berkeley 69, King 7 and King 5 are also revised. The age and reddening are estimated to be 0.79 \pm 0.09 Gyr and 0.68 \pm 0.03 mag for Berkeley 69, 0.79 \pm 0.09 Gyr and 1.22 \pm 0.03mag for the cluster King 7 and 1.59 \pm 0.19 Gyr and 0.63 \pm 0.02 mag for the cluster King 5, respectively. Signature of mass segregation is found in the clusters King 7 and King 5.

astro-ph.SR↗