2004AJ....127.2915P

In the course of comparing parameters of evolved cool star plus hot main-sequence star binaries with theoretical isochrones, some discrepancies are found between implied stellar masses and the spectroscopic binary mass function or the measured angular separation. These are naturally explained if there is a third star in the system. Multiplicity is also required to explain some comparisons of ``cool plus hot binary'' IUE and optical spectral energy distribution analysis with measured flux ratios, especially Tycho's two-color photometry of separate components. Out of a sample of 136 cool-plus-hot binary star systems under study, measurements are now indicating several systems considered double (HD 5373, 23089, 26673, 29094, 49126, 71129, 149379, 179002, 187299), and probably a few others (including HD 136415), to have at least three stellar components. Several other cases of suspected triple systems are confirmed. For comparison, there are eight known triples included in the project. In all, about 25% of the systems contain three or more components within a few arcseconds. Estimated separations are provided, which may be of use when not known from interferometry. In general, the triple systems have one post-main-sequence component and two upper main-sequence components, usually revolving around each other. One new triple system, HD 149379, has as its middle component an F giant in the brief first crossing of the Hertzsprung gap.