Search for short-period variable stars in the open cluster NGC 2301

Time-series CCD photometric observations of an intermediate age open cluste r NGC 2301 were performed to search for variable stars, particularly gamma Dor stars and delta Sct stars. We also carried out U BV I photometry to stu dy physical properties of variable stars in the cluster. We derived observa tional parameters of the cluster from U BV I photometric results. The best fit of the empirical ZAMS in a color-color diagram gives a reddening value of E(B - V) = 0.05 +/-0.03. We also estimated a distance modulus of (V - M- V)(0) = 9.6 +/-0.1 and an age of log t = 8.4 +/-0.1, from the ZAMS and isoc hrone fitting in a color-magnitude diagram. Using V time-series data, we ca refully examined light variations of 923 stars fainter than 10.(m)0, and di scovered nine short-period variable stars; two gamma Dor candidates, five e clipsing binaries, one Slowly Pulsating B star and one magnetic Chemically Peculiar variable candidate. Two gamma Dor candidates with relatively short periods of around 0.3 days are located in a redder region (about 0.(m)1 in B - V color) than the red edge of delta Sct instability strip in the color -magnitude diagram.