Abstract

We present spectroscopy for 17 bright variable stars possible members of the Small Magellanic Cloud. These stars are OGLE variables whose photometric periodicity is poorly understood. We have determined spectral types and radial velocities for the stars of our sample. Most targets turned out to be emission-line objects of spectral type B-F and luminosity class giant or supergiant. From the analysis of the OGLE light curves, we find a new interacting eclipsing binary with a period of 184 days, and two new early-type ellipsoidal variables. The case of OGLE00445466-7328029 is specially interesting; this late-type Be star shows a beating phenomenon primarily caused by two closely spaced frequencies, 0.05733 c/d (17.44 d) and 0.06347 c/d (15.76 d). We discuss this case in particular. © 2006: Instituto de Astronomía.