Photometric and Coravel observations of red giant candidates in three open clusters: membership, binarity, reddening and metallicity

Abstract

We present new CORAVEL radial-velocity observations and photoelectric photometry in the UBV and DDO systems for a sample of potential members of the red-giant branches of NGC 6192, NGC 6208 and NGC 6268, three open clusters projected close to the Galactic center direction. We also examine the properties of a sample of 42 inner disk open clusters projected towards almost the same direction as the three clusters. Methods. Cluster members and red field giants were discriminated by using the CORAVEL radial-velocity data and by applying two photometric criteria. Interstellar reddening and metal content of the clusters were derived from combined BV and DDO data. Results. Cluster membership for five red giants in NGC 6192, three in NGC 6208 and three in NGC 6268 has been confirmed by the analysis of the photometric and kinematic data. Photometric membership probabilities show very good agreement with those obtained from CORAVEL radial velocities. Three new spectroscopic binaries were discovered among the red giants of NGC 6192 and NGC 6208. Mean radial velocities and E(B − V) colour excesses were derived. Conclusions. The overall metallicities were found to be nearly solar for NGC 6208 and above solar for NGC 6192 and NGC 6268. Most of the clusters located closer than 2 kpc from the Sun in the considered direction are slightly more reddened than the absorption resulting from the Baade’s window absorption law.