On the accuracy attainable in the MK system
Recently we have finished at La Plata a catalogue containing all spectral classifications made in the MK system (1), prior to 1963·0. The original idea was to give a definite spectral classification for each object, but it was soon found out that this is impossible, since there is a relatively large number of stars for which the classifications given by different observers disagree. Therefore it was decided to include all published classifications, even knowing that in a number of cases the several classifications listed were taken from a single source. Some objects have therefore a long list of references, not necessarily independent. Incidentally these references permit a quick search for additional data on the star such as colour, polarization, rotation or line profile data. The catalogue lists a total of about 550 references. Whenever possible we have also listed, for each paper, the type of spectrograph and the dispersion used for the classification work. It is intended to keep the files up to date, issuing, if necessary, a second edition of the catalogue.