Galactic bulge M giants. III - Near-infrared spectra and implications for the stellar content of E and S0 galaxies

Abstract

Spectra at 0.6-0.9 micron of 320 K and M giants in six low-absorption fields along the minor axis of the galactic bulge and of an additional 60 late-type giants and dwarfs in the solar neighborhood were obtained. Indices of the strength of molecular absorption are combined with previous infrared and optical photometry to estimate the mean metal abundance of the bulge M giants and to constrain the relative contribution of late giants and dwarfs to the integrated light of E and S0 galaxies.