On the mass determination of collapsed objects in close binaries: Applications to black-holes and neutron stars

Observational information required for determination of the masses of collapsed objects in close binaries is examined. Assumptions commonly used to evaluate the masses or thier lower limits, in the absence of the required observational data, are critically discussed. A reliable determination of the mass of a collapsed object in X-ray emitting binaries is yet to be made. No definitive case has been made for or against the existence of a black-hole in CygX-1.