Search for star clusters close to the Galactic plane with DENIS

Abstract

An automated search for star clusters close to the Galactic plane (|b| < 5 deg) was carried out on the Point Source Catalogue of the DENIS survey. 44% of the Galactic plane have been observed and calibrated. The method allowed to retrieve 22 known star clusters and to identify two new ones, not published yet although previously presented in the 2MASS web site as embedded clusters in HII regions. Extinction in the field and in front of the clusters are estimated using a model of population synthesis. We present the method and give the properties of these clusters.

5 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in A&A