Panels A–C: index values derived by INDICATE for a synthetic Gaussian cluster with 100 members, using a nearest neighbour number of N = 5 in all three instances. In B and C the angular dispersion of the cluster was reduced to simulate how it would be observed if its distance was a factor of 4 and 16 times larger than A, respectively. Despite the significant increase in point surface densities, the index values derived for each star is unchanged because there is no change in the relative spatial distribution of members.