Small scale star formation as revealed by VVVX galactic cluster
  candidates
  We report a search and analysis of obscured cluster candidates in the "VISTA
Variables in the Via Lactea eXtended (VVVX)" ESO Public Survey area
encompassing the region between 229.4 < l < 295.2 and -4.3 < b < 4.4 of the
southern Galactic disk. We discover and propose 88 new clusters. We improve the
completeness of the embedded cluster population in this region, adding small
size (linear diameters of 0.2-1.4 pc) and relatively far objects (heliocentric
distance between 2 and 4 kpc) to existing catalogues. Nine candidates are
proposed to be older open cluster candidates. Three of them (VVVX CL204, 207,
208) have sufficient numbers of well-resolved stellar members to allow us to
determine some basic cluster parameters. We confirm their nature as older,
low-mass open clusters. Photometric analysis of 15 known clusters shows that
they have ages above 20Myr, and masses below 2000Msun: in general, their proper
motions follow the motion of the disk. We outline some groups of clusters, most
probably formed within the same dust complex. Broadly, our candidates follow
the network of filamentary structure in the remaining dust. Thus, in this part
of the southern disk of the Galaxy, we have found recent star formation,
producing small size and young clusters, in addition to the well known, massive
young clusters, including NGC3603, Westerlund2 and the Carina Nebula Complex.
