HDE-269828 - A REDDENED MASSIVE STAR CLUSTER

On the basis of high resolution imaging and spectroscopy carried out u sing the ESO NTT during subarcsecond seeing conditions, we study the L MC star HDE 269828 as well as another neighbouring star cluster. We de tect and classify 8 new O stars. High S/N ratio spectra of three known WN stars lying in this direction allow us to show that two of these W R stars are multiple systems. In particular, the spectrum of Brey 65 v aries from night to night. We argue that HDE 269828 is an evolved ''ve ry massive star''. The interstellar absorption feature at 4430 angstro m was detected in the spectra of several stars lying in the direction of HDE 269828. We study the correlation between the strength of the fe ature and the visual extinction and tentatively deduce a relationship.