CCD Photometry of Large Magellanic Cloud Clusters. IV. The Metal-rich, Remote Southern Cluster LW 79
Abstract
LW 79 is a populous star cluster located in the remote southern part of the Large Magellanic Cloud. The authors present deep Johnson BV CCD photometry of 1230 stars and Cousins R photometry of 614 stars in and around this cluster. The V versus (B-V) color-magnitude (CM) diagram of LW 79 reveals a well-defined main sequence terminating at V ≈ 20.3 and (B-V) ≈ 0.43 and a well-populated red giant branch and red giant clump. Detailed comparisons of the CM diagram of LW 79 with those of NGC 752 and NGC 7789 suggest that the age, metallicity [Fe/H], and distance modulus of LW 79 are ≡2.0×109yr, -0.3±0.3, and 18.4±0.2, respectively. These values agree well with the results determined from comparisons of the main-sequence photometry of LW 79 with theoretical isochrones. Comparisons of the evolved stars in LW 79 with appropriate theoretical models suggest that significant uncertainties remain in accurately predicting post-He-flash stages of stellar evolution.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- September 1987
- DOI:
- 10.1086/165581
- Bibcode:
- 1987ApJ...320..626M
- Keywords:
-
- Astronomical Photometry;
- Magellanic Clouds;
- Metallic Stars;
- Star Clusters;
- Stellar Evolution;
- Visual Photometry;
- Blue Stars;
- Charge Coupled Devices;
- Color-Magnitude Diagram;
- Error Analysis;
- Interstellar Extinction;
- Red Giant Stars;
- Tables (Data);
- Astrophysics;
- CLUSTERS: OPEN;
- GALAXIES: MAGELLANIC CLOUDS;
- PHOTOMETRY;
- STARS: EVOLUTION