Based on XMM--Newton X-ray observations IGR J19552+0044 appears to be either
a pre-polar or an asynchronous polar. We conducted follow-up optical
observations to identify the sources and periods of variability precisely and
to classify this X-ray source correctly. Extensive multicolor photometric and
medium- to high-resolution spectroscopy observations were performed and period
search codes were applied to sort out the complex variability of the object. We
found firm evidence of discording spectroscopic (81.29+/-0.01m) and photometric
(83.599+/-0.002m) periods that we ascribe to the white dwarf (WD)\ spin period
and binary orbital period, respectively. This confirms that IGR J19552+0044 is
an asynchronous polar. Wavelength-dependent variability and its continuously
changing shape point at a cyclotron emission from a magnetic WD with a
relatively low magnetic field below 20 MG.
The difference between the WD spin period and the binary orbital period
proves that IGR J19552+0044 is a polar with the largest known degree of
asynchronism (0.97 or 3%).Comment: 9 pages, 10 figures, A&A accepte
