The double infrared source toward the soft gamma-ray repeater SGR 1900+14

We report the results of an extensive set of optical and near-infrared photometry and spectroscopy of the double infrared source reported by Hartmann et al. (1995) as a potential counterpart for the Galactic soft gamma-ray repeater SGR 1900+14. These objects are found to be variable but otherwise normal M5 supergiant stars at a distance of approximate to 12-15 kpc and extinguished by A(V) approximate to 19.2 mag, primarily by the general interstellar medium. We argue that the supergiants are likely gravitationally bound. These stars are positionally coincident with both quiescent X-ray and IRAS sources, suggestive of a yet-undetected third component to the system which may be responsible for the SGR.