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Description
We present infrared spectral indices (1.0-2.3{mu}m) of Galactic late-type giants and red supergiants (RSGs). We used existing and new spectra obtained at resolution power R=2000 with SpeX on the IRTF telescope. While a large CO equivalent width (EW), at 2.29{mu}m ([CO,2.29]>~45{AA}) is a typical signature of RSGs later than spectral type M0, [CO] of K-type RSGs and giants are similar. In the [CO,2.29] versus [MgI,1.71] diagram, RSGs of all spectral types can be distinguished from red giants because the MgI line weakens with increasing temperature and decreasing gravity. We find several lines that vary with luminosity, but not temperature: SiI (1.59{mu}m), Sr (1.033{mu}m), Fe+Cr+Si+CN (1.16{mu}m), Fe+Ti (1.185{mu}m), Fe+Ti (1.196{mu}m), Ti+Ca (1.28{mu}m), and Mn (1.29{mu}m). Good markers of CN enhancement are the Fe+Si+CN line at 1.087{mu}m and CN line at 1.093{mu}m. Using these lines, at the resolution of SpeX, it is possible to separate RSGs and giants. Contaminant O-rich Mira and S-type AGBs are recognized by strong molecular features due to water vapor features, TiO band heads, and/or ZrO absorption. Among the 42 candidate RSGs that we observed, all but one were found to be late types. Twenty-one have EWs consistent with those of RSGs, 16 with those of O-rich Mira AGBs, and one with an S-type AGB. These infrared results open new, unexplored, potential for searches at low resolution of RSGs in the highly obscured innermost regions of the Milky Way.
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