THE INVESTIGATIONS ON VARIABLE STARS EXECUTED AT THE 
                         TORUN OBSERVATORY
                       by W. IWANOWSKA, Torun


    In the programme of spectrophotometric investigations of the stellar 
population effects a series of long period variables has been investigated by 
W. Iwanowska. In the spectra taken in very small dispersion of about 1000 
A/mm the depressions corresponding to the red and yellow TiO bands at 
lambda 6150, 5750 and 5530 A appear to be slightly enhanced in the variables
of high velocity when compared with the green TiO bands. The effect is supposed 
to be caused by the VO and ScO bands overlapping with the red and yellow 
TiO bands. Since an enhancement of atomic V and Sc lines has been previously 
found in the spectra of high velocity stars, it is probable that there are  
abundant differences of these elements in stars of different populations. It is 
intended to investigate the VO bands in the near infrared where they are not 
considerably blended. It is hoped that these bands may supply a practical 
criterion of populations among the long period variables.
    In the same programme an investigation on the spectra of RV Tauri 
stars is undertaken by S. Grudzinska. H. Tomasik is investigating the carbon 
stars.
    A study of the colour indices of a sequence of short period variables 
of different populations is executed collectively by the members of the  
Observatory staff with the aim of establishing a colour temperature scale for 
these stars and proving its relation to the period. Following stars are nearly 
completed : EH Librae, DH Pegasi, VZ Cancri, SW Andromedae, RZ Cephei, 
XZ Cygni, RR Lyrae, TU Ursae Maioris, SU Draconis.