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Observing Binary Star Evolution at the AGB and Beyond Kenneth Hinkle Abstract Observations of two classes of binary systems with highly evolved members will be discussed. A common theme is that all have been studied using infrared spectroscopy and all have a connection to research past and present by David Lambert. Both classes of binary systems have accretion disks but are quite different. The first type of system has an accretion disk around a degenerate companion to a red giant or AGB star. Infrared spectra probe the photosphere of the cool giant. One system that will be discussed in detail is V2116 Oph. Spectra of the red giant V2116 Oph, which has a neutron star companion, have been used to determine an orbit and abundances. The precarious evolution of this X-ray binary will be discussed. The second type of system has an accretion disk around both members of the binary. In these systems the infrared spectrum of the accretion disk has been observed. Two well known post-AGB binary systems, HR 4049 and HD 44179, will be discussed. |