Another single hydrogen-rich Wolf-Rayet star in the SMC?

Abstract

A 12th Wolf-Rayet star in the SMC has recently been discovered by Massey et al. (2003). In order to determine its spectral type and a preliminary binary status, we obtained 3 high signal-to-noise spectra separated in time at the ESO-NTT. Compared to other WR stars in the SMC, SMC-WR12 appears to belong to the subgroup of faint, single and hydrogen-rich WN stars. We discuss the evolutionary status of WR12 and show that relatively low mass rotating progenitors can better account for the properties of single hydrogen-rich WN stars in the SMC.

5 pages, 2 figures, accepted by A&A, include latest corrections