Publication Date:
2016-08-13
Description:
The Quintuplet cluster is one of the most massive star clusters in the Milky Way, situated very close to the Galactic Centre. We present a new search for variable stars in the vicinity of the cluster, using the five-year data base of the Vista Variables in the Via Lactea (VVV) ESO Public Survey in the near-infrared. A total of 7586 objects were identified in the zone around 2 arcmin from the cluster centre, using 55 K S -band epochs. 33 stars show K S -band variability, 24 of them being previously undiscovered. Most of the variable stars found are slow/semiregular variables, long-period variables of the Mira type, and OH/IR stars. In addition, a good number of our candidates show variations in a rather short time-scale. We also propose four young stellar object candidates, which could be cluster members.
Print ISSN:
0035-8711
Electronic ISSN:
1365-2966
Topics:
Physics