  Context. We present a multi-wavelength, high-resolution observational survey
of the young binary system Haro 6-10 (GV Tau, IRAS 04263+2426), which is
harbouring one of the few known infrared companions. Aims. The primary goal of
this project is to determine the physical and geometrical properties of the
circumstellar and circumbinary material in the Haro 6-10 system. Methods.
High-resolution optical (HST/WFPC2) and near-infrared (VLT/NACO) images in
different bands were analysed to investigate the large-scale structures of the
material around the binary.Mid-infrared interferometry (VLTI/MIDI) and
spectroscopy (TIMMI2 at the 3.6m ESO telescope) were carried out to determine
the structure and optical depth of the circumstellar material around the
individual components. Results. The multi-wavelength observations suggest that
both components of the binary system Haro 6-10 are embedded in a common
envelope. The measured extinction indicates a dust composition of the envelope
similar to that of the interstellar medium. Each component of the system has a
circumstellar disc-like structure typical of young stars. The discs are highly
misaligned: the northern component is seen almost edge-on and the southern
component is an almost face-on disc. Conclusions. The two main formation
scenarios of binary systems with misaligned discs are the gravitational capture
of a passing object in a dense environment, and the fragmentation of the
collapsing molecular cloud. Given the low-density environment of the
Taurus-Aurigae star-forming region, the first scenario is unlikely for Haro
6-10. The binary system most probably formed via fragmentation of two different
parts of the collapsing molecular cloud combined with other dynamical processes
related to the cloud and/or the protostars. This can be the explanation also
for other binary systems with an infrared companion.
