Color-period diagram for M48 (NGC2548)

We report 62 rotation periods for cool stars in M48. The CPD displays a clear slow/I-sequence of rotating stars, similar to those seen in the 625Myr-old Hyades and 590Myr-old Praesepe clusters, and below both, confirming that M48 is younger. A similar comparison with the 250Myr-old M34 cluster shows that M48 is older and does not possess any fast/C-sequence G or early K stars like those in M34, although relatively fast rotators do seem to be present among the late-K and M stars.

A more detailed comparison of the CPD with rotational evolution models shows that the cluster stars have a mean age of 450Myr, and its (rotating) stars can be individually dated to +/-117Myr (26%). Much of this uncertainty stems from intrinsic astrophysical spread in initial periods, and almost all stars are consistent with a single age of 450Myr. The gyro-age of M48 as a whole is 450+/-50Myr, in agreement with the previously determined isochrone age of 400+/-100Myr.