SIMBAD references

We have obtained CCD BV photometry for the open cluster Pismis 3 and a nearby field. This previously unstudied object appears to be rich, loose and strongly absorbed. Our analysis suggests that Pismis 3 is of intermediate age and probably metal poor. Adopting the theoretical metal content Z=0.008, which provides the best global fit, we obtain an age of about 2Gyr. Simultaneously a color excess E_B–V=1.35 and an apparent distance modulus (m-M)=14.70 are derived. These results put Pismis 3 about 1.5Kpc distant from the Sun. The relation of the cluster with the surrounding field is also investigated.