Massive open star clusters using the VVV survey
I. Presentation of the data and description of the approach

A.-N. Chené, J. Borissova, J. R. A. Clarke, C. Bonatto, D. J. Majaess, C. Moni-Bidin, S. E. Sale, F. Mauro, R. Kurtev, G. L. Baume, C. Feinstein, V. D. Ivanov, D. Geisler, M. Catelan, D. Minniti, P. W. Lucas, R. de Grijs, M. S. N. Kumar

Resumo
Context. The ESO Public Survey “VISTA Variables in the Vía Láctea” (VVV) provides deep multi-epoch infrared observations for unprecedented 562 sq. degrees of the Galactic bulge, and adjacent regions of the disk.
Aims. The VVV observations will foster the construction of a sample of Galactic star clusters with reliable and homogeneously derived physical parameters (e.g., age, distance, and mass, etc.). In this first paper in a series, the methodology employed to establish cluster parameters for the envisioned database are elaborated upon by analysing four known young open clusters: Danks 1, Danks 2, RCW79, and DBS 132. The analysis offers a first glimpse of the information that can be gleaned from the VVV observations for clusters in the final database.
Methods. Wide-field, deep JHK_s VVV observations, combined with new infrared spectroscopy, are employed to constrain fundamental parameters for a subset of clusters.
Results. Results are inferred from VVV near-infrared photometry and numerous low resolution spectra (typically more than 10 per cluster). The high quality of the spectra and the deep wide–field VVV photometry enables us to precisely and independently determine the characteristics of the clusters studied, which we compare to previous determinations. An anomalous reddening law in the direction of the Danks clusters is found, specifically E(J - H)/E(H - K_s) = 2.20 ± 0.06, which exceeds published values for the inner Galaxy. The G305 star forming complex, which includes the Danks clusters, lies beyond the Sagittarius-Carina spiral arm and occupies the Centaurus arm. Finally, the first deep infrared colour-magnitude diagram of RCW79 is presented, which reveals a sizeable pre-main sequence population. A list of candidate variable stars in G305 region is reported.
Conclusions. This study demonstrates the strength of the dataset and methodology employed, and constitutes the first step of a broader study which shall include reliable parameters for a sizeable number of poorly characterised and/or newly discovered clusters.

Palavras chave
open clusters and associations: general – infrared: stars – surveys

Notas
Based on observations made with NTT telescope at the La Silla Observatory, ESO, under programme ID 087.D-0490A, and with the Clay telescope at the Las Campanas Observatory under programme CN2011A-086. Also based on data from the VVV survey observed under program ID 172.B-2002.
Tables 1, 5 and 6 are available in electronic form at http://www.aanda.org

Astronomy and Astrophysics
Volume 545, Página A54_1
setembro 2012

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