Cyg X-3 is a highly interesting accreting X-ray binary , emitting from the radio to high-energy gamma-rays .
It consists of a compact object wind-fed by a Wolf-Rayet ( WR ) star , but the masses of the components and the mass-loss rate have been a subject of controversies .
Here , we determine its masses , inclination , and the mass-loss rate using our derived relationship between the mass-loss rate and the mass for WR stars of the WN type , published infrared and X-ray data , and a relation between the mass-loss rate and the binary period derivative ( observed to be > 0 in Cyg X-3 ) .
Our obtained mass-loss rate is almost identical to that from two independent estimates and consistent with other ones , which strongly supports the validity of this solution .
The found WR and compact object masses are 10.3 _ { -2.8 } ^ { +3.9 } { M } _ { \sun } , 2.4 _ { -1.1 } ^ { +2.1 } { M } _ { \sun } , respectively .
Thus , our solution still allows for the presence of either 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 that the compact object is a black hole .
Such a low-mass black-hole could be formed via accretion-induced collapse or directly from a supernova .