Open star clusters and Galactic structure
  In order to understand the Galactic structure, we perform a statistical
analysis of the distribution of various cluster parameters based on an almost
complete sample of Galactic open clusters yet available. The geometrical and
physical characteristics of a large number of open clusters given in the MWSC
catalogue are used to study the spatial distribution of clusters in the Galaxy
and determine the scale height, solar offset, local mass density and
distribution of reddening material in the solar neighbourhood. We also explored
the mass-radius and mass-age relations in the Galactic open star clusters. We
find that the estimated parameters of the Galactic disk are largely influenced
by the choice of cluster sample.
