Testing the BH 176 and Berkeley 29 Association with GASS/Monoceros

Abstract

It has been previously noted that the outermost open clusters in the Milky Way seem to lie in a string-like configuration that is coincident with, and may be associated to, the Galactic anticenter stellar structure (GASS) or the ``Monoceros Ring''. Among the clusters that have been suggested to be associated with GASS are Berkeley 29 (Be29) and BH176, which have recently had their proper motion determined. Matching the new proper motion determinations to previously published radial velocities, we attempt to derive orbits for Be29 and BH176. The preliminary orbit for Be29 provides tantalizing evidence for a non-standard formation, however better proper motions are needed to determine whether its origin is due to normal formation or accretion.

2 pages, 2 figures, to be published in "Globular Clusters - Guides to Galaxies" ESO/Springer Conference Procceding, eds. T. Richtler & Soeren Larsen