UV Extinction Towards a Quiescent Molecular Cloud in the SMC
  Context: The mean UV extinction law for the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) is
usually taken as a template for low-metallicity galaxies. However, its current
derivation is based on only five stars, thus placing doubts on its
universality. An increase in the number of targets with measured extinction
laws in the SMC is necessary to determine its possible dependence on parameters
such as metallicity and star-forming activity. Aims: To measure the UV
extinction law for several stars in the quiescent molecular cloud SMC B1-1.
Methods: We obtained HST/STIS slitless UV spectroscopy of a 25"x25" field of
view and we combined it with ground-based NIR and visible photometry of the
stars in the field. The results were processed using the Bayesian photometric
package CHORIZOS to derive the visible-NIR extinction values for each star. The
unextinguished Spectral Energy Distributions (SEDs) obtained in this way were
then used to derive the UV extinction law for the four most extinguished stars.
We also recalculated the visible-NIR extinction for the five SMC stars with
preexisting UV extinction laws. Results: The UV extinction law for four SMC
B1-1 stars within several pc of each other differs significantly from star to
star. The 2175 {\AA} bump is moderately strong in one, weak in two, and absent
in the fourth.
