{
  "abstract": "Aims. We have mapped the dust and molecular gas emission distributions in the vicinity (a few stellar radii) of the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) star EP\\,Aquarii, with a previously reported stellar companion at $\\sim$50\\,au, to search for binary-induced asymmetries. Methods. We present an analysis of new high-angular-resolution ($\\gtrsim$4\\,mas) images obtained with MATISSE (in the wavelength range $\\sim$3--8\\,\\mum) as well as archival high-angular-resolution ($\\gtrsim$20\\,mas) ALMA $\\rm^{12}$CO\\,(c$J$=2-1) line and continuum emission observations ($\\sim$230\\,GHz), to study the circumstellar morphology and kinematics of the molecular gas on these spatial scales. Results. The MATISSE images display a bright central source and two slightly extended emission features (\"blobs\") located on opposite sides of the AGB star (at radial distances of $\\sim$4--10\\,au). These structures are consistent with previous mid-infrared interferometric observations, suggesting stability over decades. The central source is elongated along the direction defined by the blobs, in both the MATISSE and ALMA continuum images. The ALMA $\\rm^{12}$CO\\,($J$=2-1) maps display an asymmetric inner wind with a velocity gradient. Conclusions. The observations are consistent with an edge-on dusty equatorial overdensity (disc-like), hinting the presence of a close ($\\lesssim$4\\,au) companion. The inferred symmetry axis is almost perpendicular to the CO velocity gradient and the orbital plane proposed for the distant ($\\sim$50\\,au) companion. EP\\,Aqr may represent the first misaligned hierarchical triple system with a central AGB star.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": "2610.18134",
  "author_total": 29,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "J. Alonso-Hernández"
    },
    {
      "name": "C. Paladini"
    },
    {
      "name": "C. Sánchez Contreras"
    },
    {
      "name": "J. Drevon"
    },
    {
      "name": "J. P. Fonfría"
    },
    {
      "name": "L. Planquart"
    },
    {
      "name": "T. Khouri"
    },
    {
      "name": "L. Siess"
    },
    {
      "name": "A. Jorissen"
    },
    {
      "name": "B. Aringer"
    },
    {
      "name": "F. Baron"
    },
    {
      "name": "E. De Beck"
    },
    {
      "name": "S. Höfner"
    },
    {
      "name": "J. Hron"
    },
    {
      "name": "F. Lykou"
    },
    {
      "name": "F. Millour"
    },
    {
      "name": "M. Montargès"
    },
    {
      "name": "N. Nardetto"
    },
    {
      "name": "K. Ohnaka"
    },
    {
      "name": "H. Olofsson"
    },
    {
      "name": "V. Răstău"
    },
    {
      "name": "J. Sanchez-Bermudez"
    },
    {
      "name": "L. Velilla-Prieto"
    },
    {
      "name": "W. Vlemmings"
    },
    {
      "name": "M. Wittkowski"
    },
    {
      "name": "G. Weigelt"
    },
    {
      "name": "W. C. Danchi"
    },
    {
      "name": "F. Kerschbaum"
    },
    {
      "name": "B. Lopez"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/fejfpvtmgr3mj.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.48550/arxiv.2610.18134",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "fejfpvtmgr3mj",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/2610.18134",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC-SA-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC-SA 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": "CC0-1.0",
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "arxiv",
      "astro-ph.SR"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": null,
  "pdf_url": "https://arxiv.org/pdf/2610.18134",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-13",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/fejfpvtmgr3mj.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:29:11Z",
      "native_id": "2610.18134",
      "source": "arxiv",
      "url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/2610.18134"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "astronomy",
      "origin": "arxiv:astro-ph.SR",
      "subfield": "stellar"
    }
  ],
  "title": "MATISSE unveils a dusty disc in the interior of EP Aquarii. First evidence of a misaligned hierarchical triple system with a central AGB star?",
  "title_text": "MATISSE unveils a dusty disc in the interior of EP Aquarii. First evidence of a misaligned hierarchical triple system with a central AGB star?",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:29:11Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/fejfpvtmgr3mj",
  "venue": "arXiv",
  "versions": []
}