The optical counterpart of the X-ray source H0253+193 - A distant, high-luminosity RS Canum Venaticorum system

Optical and near-infrared photometry in the VRIJHK and CO (2.35 microns) bands and optical spectroscopy and polarimetry reveal that the optical counterpart of the X-ray source H0253+193 is most likely a RS CVn binary system. The results show a visual extinction of 11.3 mag to the star, with an IR excess possibly due a cooler binary companion or circumstellar material. It is suggested that the I-band polarization of 8.1 + or - 1.8 may be induced in the starlight by passage through the molecular cloud. The lack of strong H-alpha emission in the optical spectrum argues against the possibility of a classical T Tauri star, and the IR excess argues against a naked T Tauri star. The wide energy spectrum found in the dereddened optical and near-infrared photometry supports the binary star model.