The previously known , 6-yr spectroscopic binary HR 6046 has been speculated in the past to contain a compact object as the secondary .
A recent study has re-determined the orbit with great accuracy , and shown that the companion is an evolved but otherwise normal star of nearly identical mass as the primary , which is also a giant .
The binary motion was detected by the Hipparcos mission but was not properly accounted for in the published astrometric solution .
Here we use the Hipparcos intermediate data in combination with the spectroscopic results to revise that solution and establish the orbital inclination angle for the first time , and with it the absolute masses M _ { A } = 1.38 _ { -0.03 } ^ { +0.09 } M _ { \sun } and M _ { B } = 1.36 _ { -0.02 } ^ { +0.07 } M _ { \sun } .
Aided by other constraints , we investigate the evolutionary status and confirm that the primary star is approaching the tip of the red-giant branch , while the secondary is beginning its first ascent .