HIGHER PASCHEN LINES IN THE SPECTRA OF EARLY-TYPE STARS

We present observed and computed line profiles of Paschen lines in two nearly atmospheric absorption-free spectral regions: 8350 to 8790 Ang strom and around the P7 line. We show that the Edmonds, Schluter & Wel ls semi-empirical theory of line broadening is suitable for the comput ation of higher members of the Paschen series. We compare the variatio ns of the equivalent widths of P7 and P14 with CCD observations of a s ample of O9.5 to A0 stars. It is shown that such spectral characterist ics are well suited to the determination of atmospheric parameters of stars.