Far Ultraviolet Photometry of F and G Dwarfs in the Hyades, Coma Berenices, and NGC 2281 Open Clusters as Obtained by GALEX

A two-color diagram formed from GALEX FUV and Johnson BV photometry is presented for F and early G dwarfs in three open clusters: the Hyades, Coma Berenices, and NGC 2281. Denoted as (m(FUV) - B) versus B - V, the position of dwarf stars in such a diagram has been shown by previous work to vary with the level of chromospheric and coronal activity. The upper main sequences of the Hyades and Coma Ber clusters match quite well in this two-color diagram, consistent with their similar ages and metallicities, and effectively zero reddening. While the upper main sequence of NGC 2281 is also fairly well defined, there is some uncertainty in the reddening of this cluster, which hinders an attempt to compare it with the other two. The results of this work suggest that it may become feasible to define isochrones for Population I dwarf stars in a (m(FUV) - B) versus B - V diagram if a sufficient sample of stars of well-known ages can be used as calibrating sources. However, the utility of such a diagram for age-dating purposes will depend upon the additional availability of accurate reddening measurements.