We study the spatial structure and sub-structure of regions rich in Hipparcos stars with blue BT-VT colours. These regions, which comprise large stellar complexes, OB associations, and young open clusters, are tracers of on-going star formation in the Galaxy. The DBSCAN (Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise) data clustering algorithm is used to look for spatial overdensities of early-type stars. Once an overdensity, "agglomerate", is identified, we carry out a data and bibliographic compilation of their star member candidates. The actual membership in agglomerate of each early-type star is studied based on its heliocentric distance, proper motion, and previous spectro-photometric information. We identify 35 agglomerates of early-type Hipparcos stars. Most of them are associated to previously known clusters and OB associations. The previously unknown P Puppis agglomerate is subject of a dedicated study with Virtual Observatory tools.
Cone search capability for table J/AN/329/801/table1 (Agglomerates of early-type Hipparcos stars)
Cone search capability for table J/AN/329/801/tablea1 (Early-type Hipparcos stars in aggregates)