We present a CCD $VI$ photometric study of the globular cluster M14. Particular attention is given to the variable stars. This allowed new classifications and cluster membership considerations. New variables are reported; 3 RRc, 18 SR and 1 SX Phe. The Fourier decomposition of RR Lyrae light curves lead to the mean cluster metallicity of [Fe/H]$_{\rm ZW}= -1.3 \pm 0.2$. Several independent methods yield a mean distance of $9.36 \pm 0.16$ kpc. A Colour-Magnitude diagram outlined by the cluster members enabled a matching with theoretical predictions of isochrones and zero-age horizontal branches, whose fitting to the observations is in good agreement with the above distance and metallicity. The Oosterhoff type of M14 is confirmed as Oo-int, and the pulsating mode distribution of RR Lyrae stars on the HB shows that the bimodal region of the instability strip is shared by RRab and RRc stars. By modelling the mass loss at the RGB after the He flash events, we were able to represent the blue tail of the HB, using a core mass of 0.48 $M_{\odot}$ and total masses of 0.52-0.55 $M_{\odot}$. A progenitor star on the MS of 0.84 $M_{\odot}$ reaches the HB in about 12.5 Gyrs, consonant with previous age determinations of the cluster. Type II Cepheids of M14 may be interpreted as products of post-HB evolution, driven by the complex processes involving the burning of the very thin low mass hydrogen and helium shells of these stars and their minuscule envelopes. No evidences were found in favor of M14 being of extragalactic origin.
It has recently been suggested that the presence of multiple populations showing various amounts of helium enhancement is the rule, rather than the exception, among globular star clusters. An important prediction of this helium enhancement scenario is that the helium-enhanced blue horizontal branch (HB) stars should be brighter than the red HB stars which are not helium-enhanced. In this Letter, we test this prediction in the case of the Galactic globular cluster M3 (NGC 5272), for which the helium-enhancement scenario predicts helium enhancements of > 0.02 in virtually all blue HB stars. Usin…
We exploit multi-band Hubble Space Telescope photometry to investigate multiple populations (MPs) along the red horizontal branches (HBs) and red clumps of fourteen metal-rich Globular Clusters (GCs), including twelve Milky Way GCs and the Magellanic Cloud GCs NGC 1978 and NGC 416. Based on appropriate two-color diagrams we find that the fraction of 1G stars in Galactic GCs correlates with cluster mass, confirming previous results based on red-giant branch (RGB) stars. Magellanic-Cloud GCs show higher fractions of 1G stars than Galactic GCs with similar masses, thus suggesting that the environ…
A recent study of hot (20,000 to 30,000 K) extreme horizontal branch (EHB) stars in globular clusters (GCs) has led to the discovery of their variability. It is suggested that this variability is driven by the projected rotation of magnetic spots on the stellar surfaces and is expected to have higher amplitudes at shorter wavelengths. Here, we present the analysis of such hot stars in the massive GC NGC 2808 using the Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT), aboard AstroSat. We use the UVIT data in combination with the Hubble Space Telescope UV Globular Cluster Survey (HUGS) data for the central …
The analysis of multiple populations (MPs) in globular clusters, both spectroscopically and photometrically, is key in understanding their formation and evolution. The relatively narrow Johnson U, F336W, and Stromgren and Sloan u filters have been crucial in exhibiting these MPs photometrically, but in Paper I we showed that the broader Washington C filter can more efficiently detect MPs in the test case globular cluster NGC 1851. In Paper I we also detected a double MS that has not been detected in previous observations of NGC 1851. We now match this photometry to NGC 1851's published RGB abu…
Theory and observations indicate that the distribution of stars along the horizontal branch of Galactic globular clusters mainly depends on the metal content. However, the existence of globular clusters with similar metal content and absolute age but different horizontal branch morphologies, suggests the presence of another parameter affecting the star distribution along the branch. To investigate the variation of the horizontal branch morphology in Galactic globular clusters, we define a new photometric horizontal branch morphology index, overcoming some of the limitations and degeneracies af…
We present UBVRcIc photometric study of three intermediate age open star clusters NGC 381, NGC 2360, and Berkeley 68 (Be 68). We examine the cluster membership of stars using recently released Gaia DR2 proper motions and obtain a total of 116, 332, and 264 member stars in these three clusters. The mean reddening of E(B - V) = 0.36+/-0.04, 0.08+/-0.03, and 0.52+/-0.04 mag are found in the direction of these clusters where we observe an anomalous reddening towards NGC 381. We fitted the solar metallicity isochrones to determine age and distance of the clusters which are found to be log(Age) = 8.…
We report the discovery of a peculiar horizontal branch (HB) in NGC 6440 and NGC 6569, two massive and metal-rich Galactic globular clusters (GGCs) located in the Galactic bulge, within 4 kpc from the Galactic Center. In both clusters, two distinct clumps are detected at the level of the cluster HB, separated by only ~ 0.1 magnitudes in the Ks band. They were detected with IR photometric data collected with the "VISTA Variables in the Via Lactea" (VVV) Survey, and confirmed in independent IR catalogs available in the literature, and HST optical photometry. Our analysis demonstrates that these …
Photometric and spectroscopic analyses have shown that the Galactic bulge cluster Terzan 5 hosts several populations with different metallicities and ages that manifest as a double red horizontal branch (HB). A recent investigation of the massive bulge cluster NGC 6569 revealed a similar, though less extended, HB luminosity split, but little is known about the cluster's detailed chemical composition. Therefore, we have used high-resolution spectra from the Magellan-M2FS and VLT-FLAMES spectrographs to investigate the chemical compositions and radial velocity distributions of red giant branch a…
Recent pieces of evidence have revealed that most, and possibly all, globular star clusters are composed of groups of stars that formed in multiple episodes with different chemical compositions. In this sense, it has also been argued that variations in the initial helium abundance ($Y$) from one population to the next are also the rule, rather than the exception. In the case of the metal-intermediate globular cluster M4 (NGC 6121), recent high-resolution spectroscopic observations of blue horizontal branch (HB) stars (i.e., HB stars hotter than the RR Lyrae instability strip) suggest that a la…
We present an analysis of three southern open star clusters NGC 6067, NGC 2506 and IC 4651 using wide-field photometric and Gaia DR2 astrometric data. They are poorly studied clusters. We took advantage of the synergy between Gaia DR2 high precision astrometric measurements and ground based wide-field photometry to isolate cluster members and further study these clusters. We identify the cluster members using proper motions, parallax and colour-magnitude diagrams. Mean proper motion of the clusters in RA and DEC is estimated as -1.90 \pm 0.01 and -2.57 \pm 0.01 mas/yr for NGC 6067, -2.57 \pm 0…
Using photometry and high resolution spectroscopy we investigate for the first time the physical connection between the open clusters NGC 5617 and Trumpler 22. Based on new CCD photometry we report their spatial proximity and common age of ~70 Myr. Based on high resolution spectra collected using the HERMES and UCLES spectrographs on the Anglo-Australian telescope, we present radial velocities and abundances for Fe, Na, Mg, Al, Si, Ca and Ni. The measured radial velocities are -38.63 +/-2.25 km/s for NGC 5617 and -38.46 +/-2.08 km/s for Trumpler 22. The mean metallicity of NGC 5617 was found t…
We use images acquired with the Hubble Space Telescope Wide Field Camera 3 and new models to probe the Horizontal Branch (HB) population of the We use images acquired with the Hubble Space Telescope Wide Field Camera 3 and new models to probe the horizontal branch (HB) population of the Galactic globular cluster (GC) NGC 2419. A detailed analysis of the composite HB highlights three populations:(1) the blue luminous HB, hosting standard helium stars (Y=0.25) with a very small spread of mass, (2) a small population of stars with intermediate helium content (0.26<Y<=0.29), and (3) the well-popul…
We present a detailed spectroscopic analysis of horizontal branch stars in the globular cluster NGC 3201. We collected optical (4580-5330 A), high resolution (~34,000), high signal-to-noise ratio (~200) spectra for eleven RR Lyrae stars and one red horizontal branch star with the multifiber spectrograph M2FS at the 6.5m Magellan telescope at the Las Campanas Observatory. From measured equivalent widths we derived atmospheric parameters and abundance ratios for α (Mg, Ca, Ti), iron peak (Sc, Cr, Ni, Zn) and s-process (Y) elements. We found that NGC 3201 is a homogeneous, mono-metallic ([Fe/H]=-…
Large abundance anomalies have been previously detected in Horizontal Branch B-type stars. We present the first high resolution study of isotopic anomalies and chemical abundances in six Horizontal Branch B-type stars in globular clusters NGC6397 and NGC6752 and compare them to those observed in HgMn stars. We obtained high-resolution (up to R~115000) UVES spectra of a representative sample of six B-type stars (T183, T191, T193, B652, B2151, B2206). It is the first time an abundance analysis is performed for all elements for which spectral lines were detected in UVES spectra of Horizontal Bran…
We present photometric analysis of the two W UMa type binaries identified in the field of distant open star cluster NGC6866. Although these systems, namely ID487 and ID494, were reported in the Joshi et al. (2012), but a detailed study of these stars has not been carried out earlier. The orbital periods of these stars are found to be 0.415110+/-0.000001 day and 0.366709+/-0.000004 day, respectively. Based on the photometric and infrared colours, we find their respective spectral types as K0 and K3. The photometric light variations of both the stars show O'Connell effect which could be explaine…
In this paper we analyse the evolutionary status and properties of the old open cluster NGC 2355, located in the Galactic anticentre direction, as a part of the long term programme BOCCE. NGC 2355 was observed with LBC@LBT using the Bessel $B$, $V$, and $I_c$ filters. The cluster parameters have been obtained using the synthetic colour-magnitude diagram (CMD) method, as done in other papers of this series. Additional spectroscopic observations with FIES@NOT of three giant stars were used to determine the chemical properties of the cluster. Our analysis shows that NGC 2355 has metallicity sligh…
We have analyzed OGLE-III photometry for stars in the SMC cluster NGC 299. Two eclipsing binaries and one intrinsic variable (most likely a Be star) are identified. Unlike other young SMC clusters, no low-amplitude pulsating variables are present.
We analysed the open clusters Czernik 2 and NGC 7654 using CCD UBV photometric and Gaia Early Data Release 3 (EDR3) photometric and astrometric data. Structural parameters of the two clusters were derived, including the physical sizes of Czernik 2 being r=5 and NGC 7654 as 8 min. We calculated membership probabilities of stars based on their proper motion components as released in the Gaia EDR3. To identify member stars of the clusters, we used these membership probabilities taking into account location and the impact of binarity on main-sequence stars. We used membership probabilities higher …
We introduce a new binary detection technique, Binary INformation from Open Clusters using SEDs (binocs), which we show is able to determine reliable stellar multiplicity and masses over a much larger mass range than current approaches. This new technique determines accurate component masses of binary and single systems of the open clusters main sequence by comparing observed magnitudes from multiple photometric filters to synthetic star spectral energy distributions (SEDs) allowing systematically probing the binary population for low mass stars in clusters for 8 well-studied open clusters. We…
In this work we present detailed photometric results of the trapezium like galactic nearby OB clusters NGC 1502 and NGC 2169 carried out at the University Observatory Jena. We determined absolute $BVRI$ magnitudes of the mostly resolved components using Landolt standard stars. This multi colour photometry enables us to estimate spectral type and absorption as well as the masses of the components, which were not available for most of the cluster members in the literature so far, using models of stellar evolution. Furthermore, we investigated the optical spectrum of the components ADS 2984A and …
The Hubble Space Telescope UV Legacy survey of Galactic Globular Clusters (GC) is characterising many different aspects of their multiple stellar populations. The "Grundahl-jump" (G-jump) is a discontinuity in ultraviolet brightness of blue horizontal branch (HB) stars, signalling the onset of radiative metal levitation. The HB Legacy data confirmed that the G-jump is located at the same T$_{eff}$ ($\simeq$11,500 K) in nearly all clusters. The only exceptions are the metal-rich clusters NGC 6388 and NGC 6441, where the G-jump occurs at T$_{eff}\simeq$13-14,000K. We compute synthetic HB models …
Long-term BVRI photometric light curves of the pre-main sequence stars V977 Cep and V982 Cep during the period from 2000 October to 2016 August are presented. The stars are located in the vicinity of the reflection nebula NGC 7129. Our photometric data show that both stars exhibit strong photometric variability in all optical passbands, which is typical for Classical T Tauri stars. Using our observational data we analyze the reasons for the observed brightness variations. In the case of V977 Cep we identify previously unknown periodicity in its light curve.
A campaign on the open cluster NGC 5617 was organized in order to characterize the pulsations and to better understand the internal structure of its stars. The variability of the cluster members was never studied before. We present the observations taken and an up-to-date analysis of the obtained time series, especially of several SPB candidates we discovered.
We use the pulsational properties of the RR Lyrae variables in the globular cluster NGC 1851 to obtain detailed constraints of the various sub-stellar populations present along its horizontal branch. On the basis of detailed synthetic horizontal branch modeling, we find that minor helium variations (Y~0.248-0.280) are able to reproduce the observed periods and amplitudes of the RR Lyrae variables, as well as the frequency of fundamental and first-overtone RR Lyrae stars. Comparison of number ratios amongst the blue and red horizontal branch components and the two observed subgiant branches als…
We present the results obtained from the UV photometry of the globular cluster NGC 1261 using Far-UV (FUV) and Near-UV (NUV) images acquired with the Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) onboard the Astrosat satellite. We utilized the UVIT data combined with HST, GAIA, and ground-based optical photometric data to construct the different UV colour-magnitude diagrams (CMDs). We detected blue HB (BHB), and two extreme HB (EHB) stars in FUV, whereas full HB, i.e., red HB (RHB), BHB as well as EHB is detected in NUV CMDs. The 2 EHB stars, identified in both NUV and FUV, are confirmed members of the…
New photometric data from CCD multicolour BVRI observations of 14 pre-main sequence stars during the period from 2013 April to 2015 September are presented. The studied objects are located in the field of 'Gulf of Mexico' in the NGC 7000/IC 5070 star-forming complex. The stars from our study exhibit different types of photometric variability in all optical passbands. Using our long-term observations and data published by other authors, we tried to define the reasons for the observed brightness variations. On the basis of our new data previously unknown periodicity in the light curve of the sta…
We present results from long-term optical photometric and spectroscopic observations of 5 pre-main sequence stars, located in the vicinity of the bight nebula NGC 7129. We obtained UBVRI photometric observations in the field centered on the star V391 Cep, north-west of the bright nebula NGC 7129. Our multicolor CCD observations spanned the period from February 1998 to November 2016. At the time of our photometric monitoring, a total of thirteen medium-resolution optical spectra of the stars were obtained. The results from our photometric study show that all stars exhibit strong variability in …
We report here CCD $I$-band time-series photometry of a young (2$-$5 Myr) cluster NGC 2282 to identify and understand the variability of pre-main-sequence (PMS) stars. The $I$-band photometry, down to $\sim$ 20.5 mag, enables us to probe the variability towards the lower mass end ($\sim$ 0.1 M$_\odot$) of the PMS stars. From the light curves of 1627 stars, we identified 62 new photometric variable candidates. Their association with the region was established from H$α$ emission and infrared (IR) excess. Among 62 variables, 30 young variables exhibit H$α$ emission, near-IR (NIR)/mid-IR (MIR) exc…
We present the UV photometry of the globular cluster NGC 1851 using images acquired with the Ultra-violet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) onboard the ASTROSAT satellite. PSF-fitting photometric data derived from images in two far-UV (FUV) filters and one near-UV (NUV) filter are used to construct color-magnitude diagrams (CMD), in combination with HST and ground-based optical photometry. In the FUV, we detect only the bluest part of the cluster horizontal branch (HB); in the NUV, we detect the full extent of the HB, including the red HB, blue HB and a small number of RR Lyrae stars. UV variability wa…
We present results from long-term optical photometric observations of the Pre-Main Sequence (PMS) stars, located in the star formation region around the bright nebula NGC 7129. Using the long-term light curves and spectroscopic data, we tried to classify the PMS objects in the field and to define the reasons for the observed brightness variations. Our main goal is to explore the known PMS stars and discover new, young, variable stars. The new variable PMS star 2MASS J21403576+6635000 exhibits unusual brightness variations for very short time intervals (few minutes or hours) with comparatively …
M55 (NGC 6809) and NGC 6362 are among the few globular clusters for which masses and radii have been derived to high precision for member binary stars. They also contain RR Lyrae variables which, together with their non-variable horizontal-branch (HB) populations, provide tight constraints on the cluster reddenings and distance moduli through fits of stellar models to their pulsational and evolutionary properties. Reliable (m-M)_V estimates yield M_V and M_bol values of comparable accuracy for binary stars because the V-band bolometric corrections applicable to them have no more than a weak de…
We present an accurate analysis of the peculiar Horizontal Branch (HB) of the massive Galactic globular cluster NGC 2808, based on high-resolution far-UV and optical images of the central region of the cluster obtained with HST. We confirm the multimodal distribution of stars along the HB: 4 sub-populations separated by gaps are distinguishable. The detailed comparison with suitable theoretical models showed that (i) it is not possible to reproduce the luminosity of the entire HB with a single helium abundance, while an appropriate modeling is possible for three HB groups by assuming different…
We used FLAMES+GIRAFFE (Medusa mode) at the VLT to obtain moderately high resolution spectra for 30 red horizontal branch (RHB) stars, 4 RR Lyrae variables, and 17 blue horizontal branch (BHB) stars in the low-concentration, moderately metal-rich globular cluster NGC6723 ([Fe/H]=-1.22+/-0.08 from our present sample). The spectra were optimized to derive O and Na abundances. In addition, we obtained abundances for other elements, including N, Fe, Mg, Ca, Ni, and Ba. We used these data to discuss the evidence of a connection between the distribution of stars along the horizontal branch (HB) and …
NGC 2808 is a unique globular cluster with not only a bimodal-horizontal branch (HB) but also with gaps on the blue horizontal branch. Adequate interpretation of the nature of the detected peculiarities in "bimodal" and "gap" clusters is of paramount importance for understanding the nature of the second parameter phenomenon and scenarios for the formation of the Galaxy. Although RR Lyrae variables are HB stars that can provide powerful constraints to models on the origin of bimodal HBs, unfortunately, until recently, only one RR Lyrae variable was known in this cluster. Here we present the fir…
Models based on their binary origin have been very successful in reproducing the properties of field subdwarf-B stars, but the observations of their analogues in globular clusters has posed new problems, while the discovery of multiple populations offered an appealing alternative scenario for the formation of these stars. We search for binaries of period P<200 days among a sample of blue horizontal branch stars (Teff=12000-22000 K) in NGC2808, a cluster known to host three distinct stellar populations and a multimodal horizontal branch. The final sample consists of 64 targets. The radial veloc…
Rotation is one of the key stellar parameters which undergo substantial evolution during the stellar lifetime, in particular during the early stages. Stellar rotational periods can be determined on the basis of the periodic modulation of starlight produced by non-uniformities on the surface of the stars, due to manifestation of stellar activity. We present the results of an extensive search for rotational periods among NGC 2264 cluster members, based on photometric monitoring using the CoRoT satellite, with a particular attention to the distribution of classical and weak-line T-Tauri stars. NG…
We present results of a variability search in the intermediate-age open cluster NGC 6866 from 29 nights over two observing seasons. We find 28 periodic variables, of which 19 are newly identified. The periods of these variables, which have V magnitudes from 11.5 to 19.3 mag, range from ~ 48 min to 37 d. We detected several delta-Scuti stars, some of which are of high amplitude, as well as gamma-Doradus, rotational variables and eclipsing binaries. In order to study the physical properties of the cluster, we obtained UBVRI photometry of all the stars on a good photometric night. The radial dist…
We report the discovery of 19 variable stars and two blue-stragglers in the field of the open cluster NGC6866. Three of the variable stars we classify as delta Sct, two, as gamma Dor, four, as WUMa, two, as ellipsoidal variables, and one, as an eclipsing binary. Seven stars show irregular variability. Two of the pulsators, a delta Sct star NGC 6866-29 and a gamma Dor star NGC6866-21, are multiperiodic. From an analysis of proper motions, we conclude that the delta Sct stars, one of the gamma Dor stars and both blue-stragglers are very probable members of the cluster. The position on the color-…
NGC288 is a globular cluster with a well-developed blue horizontal branch covering the u-jump that indicates the onset of diffusion. It is therefore well suited to study the effects of diffusion in blue horizontal branch (HB) stars. We compare observed abundances with predictions from stellar evolution models calculated with diffusion and from stratified atmospheric models. We verify the effect of using stratified model spectra to derive atmospheric parameters. In addition, we investigate the nature of the overluminous blue HB stars around the u-jump. We defined a new photometric index sz from…
We present a study of Far Ultraviolet (FUV) bright horizontal branch (HB) stars to understand the peculiarities seen in the HB sequence of the Globular Cluster NGC 1851, using ground and space based multi-wavelength data. Optical and UV color magnitude diagrams are used to classify HB stars and their membership from HST and Gaia DR2 data. The Spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of the hot HB stars located from the core to tidal radii are constructed. The SEDs reveal that the HB stars near the G-jump show a decrease in the FUV flux when atmospheric models of cluster metallicity are used for fi…
We present an abundance analysis of 96 horizontal branch (HB) stars in NGC2808, a globular cluster exhibiting a complex multiple stellar population pattern. These stars are distributed in different portions of the HB and cover a wide range of temperature. By studying the chemical abundances of this sample, we explore the connection between HB morphology and the chemical enrichment history of multiple stellar populations. For stars lying on the red HB, we use GIRAFFE and UVES spectra to determine Na, Mg, Si, Ca, Sc, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Zn, Y, Ba, and Nd abundances. For colder, blue HB stars, we…
The first calibrated broadband UBVI time-series photometry is presented for the RR Lyrae variable stars in NGC6656 (M22), with observations spanning a range of twenty-two years. We have also redetermined the variability types and periods for the RR Lyrae stars identified previously by photographic observations, revising the number of fundamental-mode RR Lyrae variables (RR0) to 10 and the number of first-overtone variables (RR1) to 16. The mean periods of the RR0 and RR1 variables are <P>_{RR0}=0.66 \pm 0.02 d and <P>_{RR1}=0.33 \pm 0.01 d, respectively, supporting an Oosterhoff II classificat…
We identify 228 periodic variables in the region of young open cluster NGC 281 using time series photometry carried out from 1 m class ARIES telescopes, Nainital. The cluster membership of these identified variables is determined on the basis colour-magnitude, two colour diagrams and kinematic data. Eighty one variable stars are found to be members of the cluster NGC 281. Of 81 variables, 30 and 51 are probable main-sequence and pre-main-sequence members, respectively. Present study classifies main-sequence variable stars into different variability types according to their periods of variabili…
We present results of new photometry for the globular star cluster NGC 2155 in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). Our I- and V-band observations were obtained with the 6.5-meter Magellan 1 Baade Telescope at Las Campanas Observatory resulting in deep photometry down to V ~ 24 mag. By analyzing the color-magnitude diagram for the cluster and utilizing the Victoria-Regina grid of isochrones models we estimated the age of the cluster at ~ 2.25 Gyr and [Fe/H]=-0.71, the numbers which place NGC 2155 outside the age-gap in the age-metallicity relation for LMC clusters. Using the Difference Image Anal…
The very young open cluster NGC 6383 centered on the O-star binary HD 159176 is an interesting place for studying the impact of early-type stars with strong radiation fields and powerful winds on the formation processes of low-mass stars. To investigate this process, it is necessary to determine the characteristics (age, presence, or absence of circumstellar material) of the population of low-mass pre-main-sequence (PMS) stars in the cluster. We obtained deep U B V (R I)_c H-alpha photometric data of the entire cluster as well as medium-resolution optical spectroscopy of a subsample of X-ray s…
Recent investigations revealed very peculiar properties of blue horizontal branch (HB) stars in ωCentauri, which show anomalously low surface gravity and mass compared to other clusters and to theoretical models. ωCentauri, however, is a very unusual object, hosting a complex mix of multiple stellar populations with different metallicity and chemical abundances. We measured the fundamental parameters (temperature, gravity, and surface helium abundance) of a sample of 71 blue HB stars in M22, with the aim of clarifying if the peculiar results found in ωCen are unique to this cluster. M22 also h…
Optical UBVRI photometric measurements using the Faulkes Telescope North were taken in early 2011 and combined with 2MASS JHK$_s$ and WISE infrared photometry as well as UCAC4 proper motion data in order to estimate the main parameters of the galactic open cluster NGC 2215 of which large uncertainty exists in the current literature. Fitting a King model we estimate a core radius of 1.12$'\pm$0.04$'$ (0.24$\pm$0.01pc) and a limiting radius of $4.3'\pm$0.5$'$ (0.94$\pm$0.11pc) for the cluster. The results of isochrone fits indicates an age of $log(t)=8.85\pm0.10$ with a distance of $d=790\pm90$p…
We present the helium abundance of the two metal-poor clusters M30 and NGC6397. Helium estimates have been obtained by using the high-resolution spectrograph FLAMES at the ESO Very Large Telescope and by measuring the HeI line at 4471 A in 24 and 35 horizontal branch stars in M30 and NGC6397, respectively. This sample represents the largest dataset of He abundances collected so far in metal-poor clusters. The He mass fraction turns out to be Y=0.252+-0.003 (sigma=0.021) for M30 and Y=0.241+-0.004 (sigma=0.023) NGC6397. These values are fully compatible with the cosmological abundance, thus sug…
We report an analysis of new $V$ and $I$ CCD time-series photometry of the distant globular cluster NGC 6229. The principal aims were to explore the field of the cluster in search of new variables, and to Fourier decompose the RR Lyrae light curves in pursuit of physical parameters.We found 25 new variables: 10 RRab, 5 RRc, 6 SR, 1 CW, 1 SX Phe, and two that we were unable to classify. Secular period changes were detected and measured in some favourable cases. The classifications of some of the known variables were rectified. The Fourier decomposition of RRab and RRc light curves was used to i…
During two weeks of nearly continuous optical photometry of the young open cluster NGC 2244 obtained by the MOST satellite, we discovered two new SPB stars, GSC 00154-00785 and GSC 00154-01871. We present frequency analyses of the MOST light curves of these stars, which reveal two oscillation frequencies (0.61 and 0.71 c/d) in GSC 00154-00785 and two (0.40 and 0.51 c/d) in GSC 00154-01871. These frequency ranges are consistent with g-modes of $\ell \leq 2$ excited in models of main-sequence or pre-main-sequence (PMS) stars of masses 4.5 - 5 $M_{\odot}$ and solar composition $(X, Z)= (0.7, 0.02…
We have conducted a photometric survey of the globular cluster NGC 6397 in a search for variable stars. We obtained ~11h of time-resolved photometric images with one ne European Southern Observatory-Very Large Telescope using the FOcal Reducer and low dispersion Spectrograph imager distributed over two consecutive nights. We analyzed 8391 light curves of stars brighter than magnitude 23 with the 465 nm-filter, and we identified 412 variable stars, reaching ~ 4.8 +- 0.2 per cent of variability with timescales between 0.004 and 2d, with amplitudes variation greater than +- 0.2 mag.
Open clusters belonging to star-forming complexes are the leftovers from the initial stellar generations. The study of these young systems provides constraints to models of star formation and evolution as well as to the properties of the Galactic disc. We aimed at investigating NGC1981, a young open cluster in the Orion Nebula Region, using near-IR and BV (RI)C photometric data.We devised a method that accounts for the field contamination and allows to derive photometric membership for the cluster stars. A new cluster centre was determined by Gaussian fittings to the 2-D stellar distribution o…
We used Johnson UBV photometric CCD observations to identify pulsating and other variable stars in the young open cluster NGC 6231. The multi-color information was used to classify pulsating variables, perform frequency analysis, and - where possible - to compare observed to theoretical amplitude ratios for mode identification. The data reduction was performed with standard IRAF tools. Differential light curves have been obtained by identifying a set of suitable comparison stars and the frequency analysis was then conducted on the basis of Fourier methods. Our classification of pulsating stars…
We report the distance and [Fe/H] value for the globular cluster NGC 5904 (M5) derived from the Fourier decomposition of the light curves of selected RRab and RRc stars. The aim in doing this was to bring these parameters into the homogeneous scales established by our previous work on numerous other globular clusters, allowing a direct comparison of the horizontal branch luminosity in clusters with a wide range of metallicities. Our CCD photometry of the large variable star population of this cluster is used to discuss light curve peculiarities, like Blazhko modulations, on an individual basis…
The UV-initiative Hubble Space Telescope Treasury survey of Galactic globular clusters provides a new window into the phenomena that shape the morphological features of the horizontal branch (HB). Using this large and homogeneous catalog of UV and blue photometry, we demonstrate that the HB exhibits discontinuities that are remarkably consistent in color (effective temperature). This consistency is apparent even among some of the most massive clusters hosting multiple distinct sub-populations (such as NGC 2808, omega Cen, and NGC 6715), demonstrating that these phenomena are primarily driven b…
Metallicity is the first parameter to influence the horizontal branch (HB) morphology of globular clusters (GCs). It has been found, however, that some other parameters may also play an important role in affecting the morphology. While the nature of these important parameters remains unclear, they are believed to be likely correlated with wind mass-loss of red giants, since this mass loss determines their subsequent locations on the HB. Unfortunately, the mass loss during the red giant stages of the stellar evolution is poorly understood at present. The stellar winds of red giants may be tidal…
