OBSERVATIONS OF THE POLAR ST-LEONIS-MINORIS DURING AN EXTREME LOW STATE - IDENTIFICATION OF THE SECONDARY STAR

We present near-infrared (1.85-2.47 mu m) and optical (4300-5800 Angst rom) spectroscopic observations of the polar ST Leonis Minoris (ST LMi ) in an extreme low state. The near-infrared spectrum, showing no emis sion lines whatsoever, is produced solely by the secondary star. We ha ve 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 tim e mass transfer had resumed, and the system was in a high state.