CCD PHOTOMETRY OF LATE-TYPE STARS IN THE YOUNG OPEN CLUSTER IC-2602

We present the results of VRI photometry of the young open cluster IC 2602. Two 15 arcmin x 15 arcmin fields were observed in February and M ay 1991 using the 1-m Swope telescope at Las Campanas. Using theoretic al isochrones obtained from D'Antona & Mazzitelli (1994), and allowing for observational and other uncertainties, we identify 78 primary can didate members with 12 < V < 18.5 from their positions on colour-magni tude diagrams. We compare the cluster field with an offset field of si milar galactic latitude and estimate the contamination due to backgrou nd stars to be large, greater than or equal to 50%, as might be expect ed given its low galactic latitude. We also compare our photometry wit h that given for the X-ray detected stars of Randich et al. (1995). We present complimentary narrow band H alpha photometry for a subset of the stars.