Near IR study of the young cluster NGC 2453

Abstract

In an attempt to understand early phases of stellar evolution and star formation, we have taken up the study of extremely young star clusters in the near infrared wavebands. These clusters are deeply embedded inside the molecular gas and dust but radiate substantially in the infrared. We have observed one such cluster NGC 2453 from Mt Abu Infrared Observatory (MIRO) operated by the Physical Research Laboratory, using the NICMOS-3 infrared array mounted on the 1.2 m Cassegrain focus telescope. The observations were made in the J, H and K' wavebands in February 2000. The data reduction and the photometry has been performed using IRAF. Preliminary results are presented.