THE S-269 STELLAR CLUSTER

We present the results of an imaging observational study of the young cluster associated with the HII region S 269. Images of the region hav e been carried out at optical (RI and emission line) and near-IR (JHK and narrow L) wavelengths. The I image detects nearly 300 sources with a remarkable clustering towards the western lobe of the HII region an d the surroundings of the ionizing stars. The K image (extending to a more reduced field) detects 100 sources again showing a clear clusteri ng. 79 objects are identified as members of the S 269 young cluster, t he rest of the objects remaining unidentified. Our results suggests th at the stars detected in S 269 could form either a massive BA stellar cluster suffering high extinction, or a PMS low-mass stellar cluster i n which a few massive stars have formed already. In addition, we brief ly discuss the apparent magnitude distributions.