HI profiles in the bridge region of the Magellanic Clouds.

Two-hundred and seventeen H I profiles at positions approximately 1 deg apart in the bridge region between the Small and Large Magellanic Clouds have been observed with a 15 arcmin beam. Diagrams of all the profiles, lists of column densities and average radial velocities are given, together with details of the extensive Gaussian analysis needed to account for the components. It is shown that the bridge region is most complex. Two radial velocity groups, +214 and +238 km/s, represent the actual H I bridge between the two galaxies. Three other components, at mean radial velocities of +155, +177 and +195 km/s are seen to be integral parts of the SMC, stretching east to RA = about 04 h. Nine sets of five closely spaced observations in the lower Magellanic Stream and in the bridge region at high sensitivity supply further information about the region.