OPTICAL SPECTROSCOPY OF CARBON STARS DISCOVERED BY IRAS

We have secured optical spectral classifications of ten C-type counter parts of IRAS sources selected according to criteria of IRAS colors an d/or IRAS low-resolution spectrometer data. We provide two-dimensional carbon star spectral classes for all ten, based on a quantitative sch eme for correcting the Na D line strength for overlying CN absorption. About half of these stars show evidence of significant extinction due to their circumstellar dust envelopes. (C) 1996 American Astronomical Society.