Figure 7

Semi-major axis evolution. The evolution of the inner eccentricity \(e_{\mathrm{in}}\) as a function of time for the first 20,000 yr of the evolution of triple progenitor of Eta Carinae. The figure shows the characteristic increase in semimajor-axes due to stellar wind mass loss, and the periodic decrease in inner semimajor-axis when the eccentricity is high due to LKCTF.