Spectral Classification in the Small Magellanic Cloud

Abstract

This paper presents results obtained in classifying 26 supergiants of the Small Magellanic Cloud. The main results are: –The hydrogen lines are not as sharp as expected for such luminous stars.–Generally, for the A-type stars, the calcium K-line is too strong compared to the other metallic lines.–There are differences in the behaviour of the different metals.–Often, the stars present variations in their spectra.–50% of the stars brighter than mv = 11.3 have an enhancement of the H8 Balmer line, which is one of the characteristics of a shell star.–The comparison with the Radcliffe classification and Dachs classification is, except in very few cases, in good agreement.