Chemical compositions of four B-type supergiants in the SMC wing

• Published in: Astronomy and astrophysics (Berlin) Vol. 429; no. 3; pp. 1025 - 1030
• Main Authors: Lee, J.-K., Rolleston, W. R. J., Dufton, P. L., Ryans, R. S. I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Les Ulis EDP Sciences 01.01.2005
• Subjects: galaxies: Magellanic Clouds; stars: abundances; stars: early-type; stars: supergiants; Galaxies; Atmosphere model; Stellar abundance; stars: abundances; Non-LTE; Early type stars; stars: early-type; galaxies: Magellanic Clouds; Small Magellanic Cloud; stars: supergiants; Supergiant stars; Magellanic Clouds; Chemical composition
• ISSN: 0004-6361; 1432-0746
• DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361:20041345

High-resolution UCLES/AAT spectra of four B-type supergiants in the SMC South East Wing have been analysed using non-LTE model atmosphere techniques to determine their atmospheric parameters and chemical compositions. The principle aim of this analysis was to determine whether the very low metal abundances (-1.1 dex compared with Galactic value) previously found in the Magellanic Inter Cloud region (ICR) were also present in the SMC Wing. The chemical compositions of the four targets are similar to those found in other SMC objects and appear to be incompatible with those deduced previously for the ICR. Given the close proximity of the Wing to the ICR, this is difficult to understand and some possible explanations are briefly discussed.