A near-infrared survey for Galactic Wolf-Rayet stars

Initial results, techniques, and rationale for a near-infrared survey of evolved emission-line stars towards the Galactic Center are presented. We use images taken through narrow-band emission-line and continuum filters to select candidates for spectroscopic follow-up. The filters are optimized for the detection of Wolf-Rayet stars and other objects that exhibit emission-lines in the 2 (mu)m region. Approximately three square degrees along the Galactic plane have been analyzed in seven narrow filters (four emission lines and three continuum). Four new Wolf-Rayet stars have been found and are the subject of a following paper.