Near-infrared classification spectroscopy: H-band spectra of fundamental MK standards

We present a catalog of H-band spectra for 85 stars of approximately solar abundance observed at a resolving power of 3000 with the KPNO Mayall 4 m Fo urier Transform Spectrometer. The atlas covers spectral types O7-M5 and lum inosity classes I-V as defined in the MK system. We identify both atomic an d molecular indices and line ratios that are temperature and luminosity sen sitive, allowing spectral classification to be carried out in the H-band. T he line ratios permit spectral classification in the presence of continuum excess emission, which is commonly found in pre-main-sequence or evolved st ars. We demonstrate that with spectra of R = 1000 obtained at signal-to-noi se ratio >50, it is possible to derive spectral types within +/-2 subclasse s for late-type stars. These data are available electronically through the Astronomical Data Center in addition to being served on the World Wide Web.