Stellar clusters in the inner galaxy and their correlation with ATLASGAL

Abstract

We present the results of a forthcoming paper, in which we study statistically all open and embedded clusters known so far in the inner Galaxy, investigating particularly their interaction with the surrounding molecular environment. Using a merged list of stellar clusters from different literature catalogs (complemented with our own search for embedded clusters on the GLIMPSE data) and the ATLASGAL submm continuum survey, we defined a morphological evolutionary sequence with decreasing correlation with ATLASGAL emission. Based on this sequence, we could classify the sample in embedded and open clusters, study separately their distance distribution, completeness, and age distribution, and thus improve our understanding of how embedded clusters evolve towards the production of field stars or bound open clusters.