Spectroscopic radial velocity and photometric observations of barium stars

We have obtained spectra of 74 and photometry of 122 of the 150 certain barium stars listed by MacConnell, Frye & Upgren. Our spectra show that these are not a homogeneous group of stars. However, the spectra and UBVI photometry indicate that about two-thirds are comparable with classical barium stars. We use our radial velocities, combined with published values, to estimate a mean absolute magnitude of about Mv = −1 for the barium stars. There is a suggestion that when the barium stars are divided into two groups, according to their observed barium line strengths, they have different mean ages and luminosities.