AGB candidates in NGC 6822

Spectra of 323 sources, distributed across an area of 2deg^2^, were taken using the AAOmega multi-fibre spectrograph on the Anglo-Australian Telescope and have been classified using an automated classification system and spectral standards from the literature. Nearly half (135) of these sources were selected in common with a photometric catalogue that relied on the CN-TiO method. Within this sample we were able to classify 158 sources, including 82 C-type giants and one anomalous M-type giant, all members of NGC 6822, and 75 foreground K- and M-type dwarf sources.

All but three of the giant sources are located within 3 kpc of the galactic centre. Using this spectroscopic sample, new JHK photometric criteria for the isolation and classification of C- and M-type AGB stars have been derived. The error rate in the CN-TiO method, arising from stars incorrectly classified as C-type, has been estimated to be ~7%.

Based on the new JHK classification criteria, revised estimates of the global C/M ratio, 0.95+/-0.04, and iron abundance, -1.38+/-0.06dex, are presented for NGC 6822.