We present results of time series photometry to search for variable stars in the field of metal-poor globular cluster NGC 4590 (M68). Periods have been revised for 40 known variables and no significant changes were found. A considerable change in Bla
zhko effect for V25 has been detected. Among nine newly discovered variable candidates, 5 stars are of RRc Bailey type variables while 4 stars are unclassified. The variable stars V10, V21, V50 and V51 are found to be cluster members based on the radial velocity data taken from literature.
We present the broad band UBVI CCD photometric investigations in the region of the two open clusters Haffner 11 and Czernik 31. The radii of the clusters are determined as 3.5 arcmin and 3.0 arcmin for Haffner 11 and Czernik 31 respectively. Using tw
o colour (U-B) versus (B-V) diagram we determine the reddening E(B-V) = 0.50+/-0.05 mag and 0.48+/-0.05 mag for the cluster Haffner 11 and Czernik 31 respectively. Using 2MASS JHKs and optical data, we determined E(J-K) = 0.27+/-0.06 mag and E(V-K) = 1.37+/-0.06 for Haffner 11 and E(J-K) = 0.26+/-0.08 mag and E(V-K) = 1.32+/-0.08 mag for Czernik 31. Our analysis indicate normal interstellar extinction law in the direction of both the clusters. Distance of the clusters is determined as 5.8+/-0.5 Kpc for Haffner 11 and 3.2+/-0.3 Kpc for Czernik 31 by comparing the ZAMS with the CM diagram of the clusters. The age of the cluster has been estimated as 800+/-100 Myr for Haffner 11 and 160+/-40 Myr for Czernik 31 using the stellar isochrones of metallicity Z = 0.019.
Relative proper motions and cluster membership probabilities have been derived for ~ 2500 stars in the field of the open star cluster NGC 3766. The cluster has been observed in $B$ and $V$ broadband filters at two epochs separated by ~ 6 years using
a wide-field imager mounted on the [email protected] telescope. All CCD frames were reduced using the astrometric techniques described in Anderson et al. (2006). The proper motion r.m.s. error for stars brighter than $V$ ~ 15 mag is 2.0 mas/yr but it gradually increases up to ~4 mas/yr at $V$ ~20 mag. Using proper motion data, membership probabilities have been derived for the stars in the region of the cluster. They indicate that three Be and one Ap stars are member of the cluster. The reddening $E(B-V)=0.22pm0.05$ mag, a distance 2.5$pm$0.5 kpc and an age of ~ 20 Myr are derived using stars of $P_{mu}>70%$. Mass function slope $x=1.60pm0.10$ is derived for the cluster and cluster was found to be dynamically relaxed. Finally, we provide positions, calibrated $B$ and $V$ magnitudes, relative proper motions and membership probabilities for the stars in the field of NGC 3766. We have produced a catalog that is electronically available to the astronomical community.
We present UBVRI CCD photometry in the region of the open clusters NGC 637 and NGC 957. The radii are found to be 4.2 arcmin and 4.3 arcmin. Their reddenings E(B-V) are 0.64+/-0.05 mag and 0.71+/-0.05 mag and their distances, from main sequence fitti
ng are 2.5+/-0.2 kpc and 2.2+/-0.2 kpc. Comparison with Z=0.02 isochrones leads to an age of 10+/-5 Myr for both clusters. Combining our photometry with 2MASS JHK shows the reddening law in these directions to be normal. Mass function slopes of x=1.65+/-0.20 and 1.31+/-0.50 are derived for the clusters, both of which are found to be dynamically relaxed. Spectral and photometric characteristics of three Be stars, two in NGC 957 and one (newly discovered) in NGC 637 indicate them to be of Classical Be type.
The solar-age open cluster M67 (C0847+120, NGC2682) is a touchstone in studies of the old Galactic disk. Despite its outstanding role, the census of cluster membership for M67 at fainter magnitudes and their properties are not well-established. Using
the proprietary and archival ESO data, we have obtained astrometric, photometric, and radial velocities of stars in a 34x 33 field centered on the old open cluster M67. The two-epoch archival observations separated by 4 years and acquired with the Wide Field Imager at the 2.2m MPG/ESO telescope have been reduced with our new astrometric techniques, as described in the first paper of this series. The same observations served to derive calibrated BVI photometry in M67. Radial velocities were measured using the archival and new spectroscopic data obtained at VLT. We have determined relative proper motions and membership probabilities for ~2,400 stars. The precision of proper motions for optimally exposed stars is ~2 mas/yr, gradually degrading down to ~5 mas/yr at V= 20. Our relatively precise proper motions at V>16 are first obtained in this magnitude range for M67. Radial velocities are measured for 211 stars in the same field. We also present a detailed comparison with recent theoretical isochrones from several independent groups. For M67 area we provide positions, calibrated BVI photometry, relative proper motions, membership probabilities, and radial velocities. We demonstrate that the ground-based CCD mosaic observations just a few years apart are producing proper motions, allowing a reliable membership determination. We produced a catalogue that is made electronically available to the astronomical community.
