Gaia Data Release 1. Open cluster astrometry: performance, limitations, and future prospects
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Date
2017
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
EDP Sciences
Abstract
CONTEXT: The first Gaia Data Release contains the Tycho-Gaia Astrometric Solution (TGAS). This is a subset of about 2 million stars for which,
besides the position and photometry, the proper motion and parallax are calculated using Hipparcos and Tycho-2 positions in 1991.25 as prior
information.
AIMS: We investigate the scientific potential and limitations of the TGAS component by means of the astrometric data for open clusters.
Methods. Mean cluster parallax and proper motion values are derived taking into account the error correlations within the astrometric solutions
for individual stars, an estimate of the internal velocity dispersion in the cluster, and, where relevant, the e ects of the depth of the cluster along
the line of sight. Internal consistency of the TGAS data is assessed.
RESULTS: Values given for standard uncertainties are still inaccurate and may lead to unrealistic unit-weight standard deviations of least squares
solutions for cluster parameters. Reconstructed mean cluster parallax and proper motion values are generally in very good agreement with earlier
Hipparcos-based determination, although the Gaia mean parallax for the Pleiades is a significant exception. We have no current explanation for
that discrepancy. Most clusters are observed to extend to nearly 15 pc from the cluster centre, and it will be up to future Gaia releases to establish
whether those potential cluster-member stars are still dynamically bound to the clusters.
CONCLUSIONS: The Gaia DR1 provides the means to examine open clusters far beyond their more easily visible cores, and can provide membership
assessments based on proper motions and parallaxes. A combined HR diagram shows the same features as observed before using the Hipparcos
data, with clearly increased luminosities for older A and F dwarfs.
Description
Keywords
Astrometry, Open clusters, Associations, General, Gaia
Citation
van Leeuwen, F. et al. (2017). Gaia Data Release 1. Open cluster astrometry: performance, limitations, and future prospects. Astronomy & Astrophysics, 601: A19