SIMBAD references

We present an Echelle+CCD high resolution spectroscopic atlas (0.25Å/pix dispersion, 0.43Å FWHM resolution and 20 000 resolving power) mapping the MKK classification system over the interval λλ 8500-8750Å. The wavelength interval is remarkably free from telluric lines and it is centered on the near-IR triplet of Ca II, the head of hydrogen Paschen series and several strong metallic lines. The spectra of 131 stars of types between O4 and M8 and luminosity classes I through V are included in the atlas. Special care was put in maintaining the highest instrumental homogeneity over the whole set of data. The capability to derive accurate MKK spectral types from high resolution observations over the interval λλ 8500-8750Å is discussed. The observations have been performed as part of an evaluation study of possible spectroscopic performances for the astrometric mission GAIA planned by ESA.