Mean colors and effective temperatures of K and M dwarfs

A new compilation of the mean colors of K3 - M6 dwarfs obtained largely from the photometry of Johnson (1965) by sorting the stars he observed according to their new spectral classifications from the eight-color photometry is given in table form. For each color index, a plot was made of color vs. spectral type and a smooth curve was drawn through the data. With the new spectral types, these curves are well determined, the author claims. He recommends the use of the new tabulation of mean colors whenever classifications on the MK system are employed, in view of the substantial systematic differences with Johnson's. (G.J.P.)