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Cyg X-3 is a highly interesting accreting X-ray binary, emitting from theradio to high-energy gamma-rays. It consists of a compact object wind-fed by aWolf-Rayet (WR) star, but the masses of the components and the mass-loss ratehave been a subject of controversies. Here, we determine its masses,inclination, and the mass-loss rate using our derived relationship between themass-loss rate and the mass for WR stars of the WN type, published infrared andX-ray data, and a relation between the mass-loss rate and the binary periodderivative (observed to be >0 in Cyg X-3). Our obtained mass-loss rate isalmost identical to that from two independent estimates and consistent withother ones, which strongly supports the validity of this solution. The found WRand compact object masses are 10.3_{-2.8}^{+3.9}, 2.4_{-1.1}^{+2.1} solarmasses, respectively. Thus, our solution still allows for the presence ofeither a neutron star or a black hole, but the latter only with a low mass.However, the radio, infrared and X-ray properties of the system suggest thatthe compact object is a black hole. Such a low-mass black-hole could be formedvia accretion-induced collapse or directly from a supernova.

Cyg X-3: a low-mass black hole or a neutron star