AAS 197, January 2001
Session 114. Evolution of Stars
Display, Thursday, January 11, 2001, 9:30-4:00pm, Exhibit Hall

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[114.04] A Search for Wolf-Rayet Stars in the SMC

A.S. Duffy (Gettysburg College), P. Massey (Lowell Observatory)

For many years it was thought that the 8 Wolf-Rayet stars (WRs) known in the SMC was a complete sample. Then Morgan et al. (1991 MNRAS, 251, 51p) discovered a ninth. This naturally made us wonder if there were more WRs to be found in the SMC. We began our search by surveying the SMC with the CTIO Curtis Schmidt telescope using interference filters optimized to find WRs. Using these images, we compiled a list of candidates based on their magnitude differences between filters, their significance levels, as well as whether they appeared in all the appropriate fields. We followed up with slit spectroscopy at the CTIO 1.5-m telescope, and discovered 2 new WRs of WN3 type, similar to the previously known SMC WRs. In the course of this study we also discovered some previously unknown Of-type stars, an LBV candidate, and a symbiotic star similar to AG Dra. ASD's participation was made possible under the NSF's REU Program, through grant 9988007 to Northern Arizona University.


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