The young Galactic star cluster [DBS2003] 179
Abstract
Context: Recent near- and mid-infrared surveys have brought evidence that the Milky Way continues to form massive clusters.
Aims: We carry out a program to determine the basic physical properties of the new massive cluster candidate [DBS2003] 179.
Methods: Medium-resolution K-band spectra and deep near-infrared images of [DBS2003] 179 were used to derive the spectral types of eight member stars, and to estimate the distance and reddening to the cluster.
Results: Seven of ten stars with spectra show emission lines. Comparison with template spectra indicated that they are early O-type stars. The mean radial velocity of the cluster is V_rad=-77 ± 6 km s-1. Knowing the spectral types of the members and the color excesses, we determined extinction AV ∼ 16.6 and distance modulus (m-M)0 ∼ 14.5 mag (D∼7.9 Kpc). The presence of early O-stars and a lack of red supergiants suggests a cluster age of 2-5 Myr. The total cluster mass is approximated to 0.7 × 10 ^4~M⊙ and it is not yet dynamically relaxed.
Conclusions: The candidate [DBS2003] 179 further increases the family of the massive young clusters in the Galaxy, although it appears less massive than the prototypical starburst clusters.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- September 2008
- DOI:
- 10.1051/0004-6361:20079255
- arXiv:
- arXiv:0806.4584
- Bibcode:
- 2008A&A...488..151B
- Keywords:
-
- Galaxy: open clusters and associations: general;
- Galaxy: open clusters and associations: individual [DBS2003] 179;
- stars: early-type;
- stars: emission-line;
- Be;
- Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- 10 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics