Study of the structure and kinematics of the Galaxy by open star clusters and associations in the Gaia era

Abstract

This article is a review, written on the basis of previously published results. It examines the main kinematic and spatial properties of the open star clusters (OCs) of the Galaxy. The results of determining the parameters of galactic rotation are described, which are obtained using the most up-to-date kinematic data on stars. Obtained, in particular, according to the Gaia DR2 and Gaia EDR3 catalogs. The results of the analysis of the residual, freed from the influence of the peculiar motion of the Sun and the rotation of the Galaxy, the velocities of the OCs are reflected. It is described about the manifestation of the galactic spiral density wave in the residual velocities of the OCs. The results of various authors are described, who have found out i) how the variance of the residual velocities of the OCs depends on their age, ii) what are the dispersions of the velocities of OB associations and their structural components, iii) what are the dispersions of the residual velocities of stars inside the OCs themselves.