Possible evolution of a triple system into Epsilon Aurigae

Abstract

If the companion of a Roche-lobe-filling red supergiant is itself a binary (of short period), the process of accretion onto the companion is likely to be different from the usual situation where the gainer is single. The authors suggest that the evolution of a triple system like HD 157978/9 - (A V+A V, 3<SUP>d</SUP>.86)+G III, 1170<SUP>d</SUP> - may lead it to a state where it could resemble quite closely the enigmatic eclipsing system ɛ Aur (?+F0 Iap, 9890<SUP>d</SUP>).