Observations of the Polar ST Leonis Minoris during an Extreme Low State: Identification of the Secondary Star

Abstract
We present near‐infrared (1.85–2.47 μm) and optical (4300–5800 Å) spectroscopic observations of the polar ST Leonis Minoris (ST LMi) in an extreme low state. The near‐infrared spectrum, showing no emission lines whatsoever, is produced solely by the secondary star. We have fitted the spectrum with a series of stellar atmosphere models and found the secondary star to have a temperature of 2800 ± 200 K. Six months later, ST LMi was reobserved in the near‐infrared, at which time mass transfer had resumed, and the system was in a high state.

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