2007A&A...473..437A

Flux-calibrated integrated spectra of a sample of 22 Galactic open clusters of small angular diameter are presented. With one exception (ESO429-SC2), all objects have Galactic longitudes in the range 208°<l<33°. The spectra cover the range ≃3600-6800Å, with a resolution of ≃14Å. The properties of the present cluster sample are compared with those of well-studied clusters located in two 90° sectors, centred at l=257° and l=347°. The dissolution rate of Galactic open clusters in these two sectors is examined. Using the equivalent widths of the Balmer lines and comparing line intensities and continuum distribution of the cluster spectra with those of template cluster spectra with known properties, we derive both foreground reddening values and ages. Thus, we provide information independent of that determined through colour-magnitude diagrams. The derived E(B-V) values for the whole sample vary from 0.0 in ESO445-SC74 to 1.90 in Pismis24, while the ages range from ∼3Myr (NGC6604 and BH151) to ∼3.5Gyr (Ruprecht2). For six clusters (Dolidze34, ESO429-SC2, ESO445-SC74, Ruprecht2, BH151 and Hogg9) the foreground E(B-V) colour excesses and ages are determined for the first time. The results obtained for the remaining clusters show, in general terms, good agreement with previous photometric results. The age and reddening distributions of the present sample match those of known clusters in the two selected Galactic sectors. The present results would favour a major dissolution rate of star clusters in these two sectors. Two new solar-metallicity templates are defined corresponding to the age groups of (4-5) Myr and 30Myr among those of Piatti et al. (2002MNRAS.335..233P). The Piatti et al. templates of 20Myr and (3-4)Gyr are here redefined.