Related papers: Probing disk properties with open clusters
We summarize the results obtained from our suite of chemical evolution models for spiral disks, computed for different total masses and star formation efficiencies. Once the gas, stars and star formation radial distributions are reproduced,…
An earlier analysis of the Milky Way Star Cluster (MWSC) catalogue revealed an apparent lack of old (> 1 Gyr) open clusters in the solar neighbourhood (< 1 kpc). To fill this gap we undertook a search for hitherto unknown star clusters,…
The spatial morphology and dynamical status of a young, still-forming stellar cluster provide valuable clues on the conditions during the star formation event and the processes that regulated it. We analyze the Orion Nebula Cluster (ONC),…
The stellar cluster environment is expected to play a central role in the evolution of circumstellar disks. We use thermochemical modeling to constrain the dust and gas masses, disk sizes, UV and X-ray radiation fields, viewing geometries,…
We present results of a study of the galactic open cluster population based on the all-sky catalogue ASCC-2.5 (I/280A) compiled from Tycho-2, Hipparcos and other catalogues. The sample of optical clusters from ASCC-2.5 is complete up to…
During their dynamical evolution, Galactic open clusters (OCs) gradually lose their stellar content mainly because of internal relaxation and tidal forces. In this context, the study of dynamically evolved OCs is necessary to properly…
We present the results of an analysis of Pan-STARRS1 Medium Deep Survey multi-band (g,r,i,z,y) images of a sample of 698 low-redshift disk galaxies that span broad ranges in stellar mass, star-formation rate, and bulge/disk ratio. We use…
Understanding the large-scale dynamics of molecular clouds (MCs) is crucial for constraining the processes that govern star formation and the structure and evolution of the Galaxy. While gas tracers have traditionally been used to map MC…
We present a catalog of true edge-on disk galaxies automatically selected from the Seventh Data Release (DR7) of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. A visual inspection of the $g$, $r$ and $i$ images of about 15000 galaxies allowed us to split…
We have used a star-count algorithm based the Panoramic Survey Telescope And Rapid Response System 3$\pi$ survey data aim to identify and characterize uncharted open clusters (OCs). With limiting magnitudes of about 22 mag in \gps, \rps,…
We have begun a survey of the chemical and dynamical properties of the Milky Way disk as traced by open star clusters. In this first contribution, the general goals of our survey are outlined and the strengths and limitations of using star…
We present stellar age profiles for 64 Virgo cluster disk galaxies whose analysis poses a challenge for current galaxy formation models. Our results can be summarized as follows: first, and contrary to observations of field galaxies, these…
We compare the observed size distribution of circum stellar disks in the Orion Trapezium cluster with the results of $N$-body simulations in which we incorporated an heuristic prescription for the evolution of these disks. In our…
Based on an almost complete sample of Galactic open star clusters within 1.8 kpc, we perform a comprehensive statistical analysis of various cluster parameters like spatial position, age, size, mass and extinction in order to understand the…
We review our work on Galactic open clusters in recent years, and introduce our proposed large program for the LOCS (LAMOST Open Cluster Survey). First, based on the most complete open clusters sample with metallicity, age and distance data…
This study investigates the structural parameters of the thin-disk population by analyzing the spatial distribution of evolved stars in the solar neighbourhood. From the $\it Gaia$ Data Release 3 database, about 39.1 million stars within 1…
Open clusters are unique tracers of the history of our own Galaxy's disk. According to our membership analysis based on \textit{Gaia} astrometry, out of the 226 potential clusters falling in the footprint of GALAH or APOGEE, we find that…
The distribution of stellar abundances along the Galactic disk is an important constraint for models of chemical evolution and Galaxy formation. In this study we derive radial gradients of C, N, O, Mg, Al, Si, as well as S, from abundance…
The physical nature of a series of 20 new open clusters is confirmed employing existing data on putative star members, mainly from second Gaia Data Release (DR2). The clusters were discovered as overdensities of stars by visual inspection…
We measure the 3D kinematic structures of the young stars within the central 0.5 parsec of our Galactic Center using the 10 m telescopes of the W.~M.~Keck Observatory over a time span of 25 years. Using high-precision measurements of…