We present the results of a survey of the Coma Berenices open star cluster (Melotte 111), undertaken using proper motions from the USNO-B1.0 (United States Naval Observatory) and photometry from the Two-Micron All-Sky Survey (2MASS) Point Source catalogues. We have identified 60 new candidate members with masses in the range 1.007 < M < 0.269 M⊙. For each we have estimated a membership probability by extracting control clusters from the proper motion vector diagram. All 60 are found to have greater than 60 per cent probability of being members, more than doubling the number of known cluster members. The new luminosity function for the cluster peaks at bright magnitudes, but is rising at K ≈ 12, indicating that it is likely that lower mass members may exist. The mass function also supports this hypothesis.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	open clusters and associations, Coma Berenices, Melotte 111
Research Division:	Physical Sciences
Research Group:	Astronomical and Space Sciences
Research Field:	Stellar Astronomy and Planetary Systems
Objective Division:	Expanding Knowledge
Objective Group:	Expanding Knowledge
Objective Field:	Expanding Knowledge in the Physical Sciences
Author:	Dobbie, PD (Dr Paul Dobbie)
ID Code:	81094
Year Published:	2006
Web of Science® Times Cited:	16
Deposited By:	Mathematics and Physics
Deposited On:	2012-11-22
Last Modified:	2013-06-25
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