Integrated spectral properties of 7 galactic open clusters

This paper presents flux-calibrated integrated spectra in the range 3600 - 9000 Angstrom for 7 concentrated, relatively populous Galactic open cluster s. We perform simultaneous estimates of age and foreground interstellar red dening by comparing the continuum distribution and line strengths of the cl uster spectra with those of template cluster spectra with known parameters. For five clusters these two parameters have been determined for the first time (Ruprecht 144, BH 132, Pismis 21, Lynga 11 and BH 217), while the resu lts here derived for the remaining two clusters (Hogg 15 and Melotte 105) s how very good agreement with previous studies based mainly on colour-magnit ude diagrams. We also provide metallicity estimates for six clusters from t he equivalent widths of CaII triplet and TiO features. The present cluster sample improves the age resolution around solar metal content in the cluste r spectral library for population synthesis. We compare the properties of t he present sample with those of clusters in similar directions. Hogg 15 and Pismis 21 are among the most reddened clusters in sectors centered at l = 270 degrees and l = 0 degrees, respectively. Besides, the present results w ould favour an important dissolution rate of star clusters in these zones.