The young open cluster Berkeley 55

Abstract

We present UBV photometry of the highly reddened and poorly studied open cluster Berkeley 55, revealing an important population of B-type stars and several evolved stars of high luminosity. Intermediate resolution far-red spectra of several candidate members confirm the presence of one F-type supergiant and six late supergiants or bright giants. The brightest blue stars are mid-B giants. Spectroscopic and photometric analyses indicate an age 50+-10 Myr. The cluster is located at a distance d~4kpc, consistent with other tracers of the Perseus Arm in this direction. Berkeley 55 is thus a moderately young open cluster with a sizable population of candidate red (super)giant members, which can provide valuable information about the evolution of intermediate-mass stars.

Accepted for publication in the Astronomical Journal. Tables 3, 6 and 7 are published electronically, and only the first few rows are shown here

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• NGC 3105: a young open cluster with low metallicity
• The red supergiant population in the Perseus arm
• A massive open cluster hiding in full sight
• UBVI CCD Photometry of Berkeley 55 Open Cluster
• A New Look at Open Cluster NGC 6520