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Identification of the donor in the X-ray binary GRS 1915+105

J. Greiner·J. G. Cuby·M. J. McCaughrean·A. J. Castro-Tirado·R. E. Mennickent
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Abstract

We report on the results of medium-resolution spectroscopy of GRS 1915+105 in the near-infrared H and K band using the 8m VLT at ESO. We clearly identify absorption bandheads from 12CO and 13CO. Together with other features this results in a classification of the mass-donating star in this binary as a K-M III star, clearly indicating that GRS 1915+105 belongs to the class of low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXB).

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J. Greiner, J. G. Cuby, M. J. McCaughrean, A. J. Castro-Tirado, R. E. Mennickent. 2001-05-26. Identification of the donor in the X-ray binary GRS 1915+105. https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361%3A20010771

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