Open AccessSearch for star clustering: methodology and application to the Two Micron Galactic Survey
Author(s) -
LópezCorredoira M.,
Garzón F.,
Hammersley P. L.,
Mahoney T. J.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
monthly notices of the royal astronomical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.058
H-Index - 383
eISSN - 1365-2966
pISSN - 0035-8711
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-8711.1998.01723.x
Subject(s) - physics , galaxy , astrophysics , cluster analysis , star cluster , stars , star count , astronomy , computer science , artificial intelligence , k type main sequence star , t tauri star
A new approach to the study of the large‐scale stellar cluster distribution in the Galaxy based on two‐point correlation techniques is presented. The basic formalism for this method is outlined, and its applications are then investigated by the use of a simple model of cluster distribution in the Galaxy. This provides an estimate of the potentials of the two‐point correlation function for indicating clustering in the measured star positions, which can be related to the presence of star clusters in the observed field. This technique is then applied to several areas of the Two Micron Galactic Survey catalogue, from which information is obtained on the distribution of clusters according to position in the Galaxy, as well as about age, density of stars, etc.