ITAL]UBVRI[/ITAL] and Hα Photometry of the Young Open Cluster NGC 6231

Abstract

New UBVI and Hα photometry has been performed for the young open cluster NGC 2244. We classified 30 OB stars as being members of the cluster using proper-motion data and spectral types from previous investigators, along with photometric diagrams obtained in this study. We measured Hα emission strength of the stars by Hα photometry and set up a selection criterion to select pre–main-sequence (PMS) stars with Hα emission. Fourteen PMS stars and seven PMS candidates were found using the criterion. In addition, six stars found near the positions of ROSAT HRI X-ray sources were assumed to be PMS stars and the optical counterparts of these X-ray sources. We determined a reddening of E(B-V) = 0.47 ± 0.04 for the cluster and a total-to-selective extinction ratio of RV = 3.1 ± 0.2. The distance modulus derived was V0 - MV = 11.1. By comparing our photometric results with theoretical evolution models, we derived a main-sequence turnoff age of 1.9 Myr and a PMS age spread of about 6 Myr. The slope of the initial mass function, Γ, calculated in the mass range 0.5 ≤ log m ≤ 2.0 could be flat (Γ = -0.7 ± 0.1).