A Quadruple or Triple Origin For Tycho B and SN 1572
  Kerzendorf et al. (2012) recently reported the startling discovery of a
metal-poor ([Fe/H]=-1 +/- 0.4) A-type star near the center of the Tycho
supernova remnant. We propose two possible explanations. In the first, Tycho B
is a blue straggler, formed from the merger of a close K- or G-type binary
system, which was previously in a quadruple system with the binary that
produced SN 1572. Both binaries were likely brought to tidal contact by
Kozai-Lidov oscillations acting in concert with tidal friction. Analogous
progenitor systems may include CzeV343, VW LMi, and KIC 4247791. In the second,
Tycho B is the surviving tertiary component of a triple system, which was also
likely affected by Kozai-Lidov oscillations. Rates are briefly discussed.
Problems with each evolutionary scenario are presented. Finally, a chance
alignment between Tycho B and the supernova remnant is not excluded.
