Astrophysicists analyzed data on the original group of star cluster NGC 6871 collected by the satellite
Location of star clusters that form the primary group of NGC 6871. Image: Juan Casadoa, Yasser Hendyb, arXiv
Two new open clusters contain 39stars each and are located at a distance of about 6.2 thousand light years from Earth. Their radial velocities were measured and amounted to about 23 km / s, and the radii of Casado 82 and Casado-Hendy 1 were 9 and 8.1 arc minutes, respectively.
The study showed that Casado 82 is approximately 6.6Ma, and Casado-Hendy 1 is about 300 thousand years younger. The total mass of the first of the clusters is estimated at 85 solar masses, and the second - about eight masses less.
Researchers note that all scatteredclusters of the NGC 6871 complex were born in the same star formation complex. In this case, the cluster itself breaks up into parts over time, and the primary clusters quickly dissipate.
Open star clusters are groups of starsformed from a single molecular cloud. Unlike globular clusters, the gravitational bonds in such structures are very weak, which is why they are gradually destroyed.
Moreover, the study showed that all membersthe HC primary group, including Casado 82 and Casado-Hendy 1, were born in the same star formation complex. The results also show that NGC 6871 appears to be breaking up, with the primary members of the group rapidly dispersing. Expanding the list of known galactic open clusters and studying them in detail could be critical to better understanding the formation and evolution of the Milky Way, scientists say.
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Cover: open star cluster NGC 6871. Image: Roberto Mura, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons