A spectrophotometric study of IR Gem at outburst and quiescence

Optical spectra with 2.5-A resolution obtained throughout the orbit of IR Gem during a five-day sequence beginning at an outburst state and ending at quiescence are compared with B magnitude and IUE spectra obtained throughout other quiescent-state orbits. No obvious second component is found in the emission lines. In contrast to previous results, little high-excitation He II 4686-A emission is noted, and no variation of the equivalent widths of the Balmer emission is found over the orbital cycle. The results suggest that large changes in the excitation level and in the modulation from a heated zone can take place during different quiescent states, possibly due to the interoutburst phase.