The Small Magellanic Cloud star cluster NGC 458. A new UBVI photometric study

Abstract

We present a new photometry of the Small Magellanic Cloud star cluster NGC 458 in UBVI filters. We determine the reddening $E(B-V)=0.04\pm0.02$. By comparison with the isochrones by Bertelli et al. (1994) we derive an age of ≈ 140 Myr. Three candidate blue straggler stars are proposed. The evolved “blue loop” stars of NGC 458 have masses between 4 and 5 $\cal M_\odot$ and are hotter than model predictions.