Photometry and spectroscopy of long period variables in the Magellanic Clouds

It is pointed out that many of the important events in the life of a star occur, or are thought to occur, during the red or supergiant phase of evolution. Since the long-period variables (LPVs) are among the most extreme (in luminosity) red giant and supergiant stars, their study should provide a great deal of information about a number of evolutionary and nucleosynthesis events. In addition, a study of the LPVs in the Magellanic Clouds could assist in resolving the current uncertainty about the mode of pulsation of the Mira variables. The results are presented of photometry (JHK) and spectroscopy of LPVs in the Large Cloud (LMC) and the Small Cloud (SMC). The results of JHK photometry are shown plotted against pulsation period. Another graph shows the absolute bolometric magnitude of noncarbon Magellanic Cloud LPVs plotted against pulsation period.