Why We Need a Deep Spectral Survey of the Milky Way

Abstract

AbstractIn this short review we briefly discuss all the extensive low dispersion objective-prism spectral surveys carried out in the last fifty years for the study of the surface and space distributions of late-type giant stars, namely C stars. In the light of data obtained and new discoveries, the expediency of undertaking a deep mI low dispersion spectral survey in the near-infrared spectral region is considered.