Understanding the Open Cluster Population of the Milky Way with Gaia

Explore how the Gaia mission's extensive data collection has transformed our understanding of open cluster populations in the Milky Way in this 49-minute astronomy lecture. Learn about the application of machine learning methods in improving open cluster detection and property characterization. Discover how the updated open cluster census serves as a valuable tool for tracing Milky Way spiral arms. Delve into the methodology for estimating the Gaia Survey Selection Function and its crucial role in enhancing open cluster population studies. Gain insights into cutting-edge astronomical research that combines traditional observational techniques with modern computational methods to advance our knowledge of galactic structure.