Combined optical and X-ray observations of variable stars

Questions concerning the optical identification of X-ray sources are considered. There are now a total of eight optically identified galactic X-ray sources. Of these eight, five are definitely established as binaries. The nature of the other three sources remains unknown. Studies of U Geminorum conducted on the basis of optical and X-ray observations are also discussed. From the upper limit to the accretion rate for U Gem obtained with the aid of soft X-ray data, it is seen that most of the mass flow in U Gem is lost from the system.