First Double Red Giant Algol System with Active Mass Transfer

Abstract Double red giant stars are very important for studies of the stability of mass transfer, common-envelope evolution, and the formation of double white dwarfs with short orbital periods. However, no double red giant system undergoing mass transfer has yet been found. We present the discovery of a close Algol-type binary system composed of two red giant stars. This is the first known semidetached system observed during the very short phase when the accretor has expanded into a red giant just before entering the common envelope phase. The H α line suggests that the system has recently lost some material, which is now moving toward us. We present a consistent analysis of all of the available spectroscopic and photometric observations of this system, constraining its orbital parameters and the fundamental properties of the components. Our findings are supported by a binary evolution model that successfully reproduces the currently observed parameters. The model suggests that the system will eventually merge into a single star.