UBVRI photometry in cluster Tr 18

From the analysis of the data we confirm that several distant OB stars were wrongly assumed as cluster members in previous investigations. The true distance modulus is 10.95, equivalent to a distance of 1550pc with the adopted age of (9.0+/-1.0)x10^7^yr.

The GH Car Cepheid variable is very much probably a cluster member in view of its spatial position and the average absolute magnitude. However, some arguments are given to suggest that the reality of this cluster is still an open question. The observations in the Cousins system were carried out during 9 nights in April 1989 at Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory, with a single channel photometer attaéched to the 60cm Lowell telescope.