Abstract

Massive Binaries: Dynamical and Evolutionary Transformations

Douglas Gies (Georgia State University)

Massive stars are often found in the company of nearby companions, and observations of massive binaries offer us key insight about the formation, evolution, and destinies of massive stars. In this review, I will highlight recent advances in the theory and observation of massive binaries, and I will discuss some particularly important examples. I will touch on issues related to star formation, binary star surveys, mass estimates, dynamical evolution, and nuclear-burning evolution. The role of mass and angular momentum transfer in interacting binaries will be a key focus. Finally, I will discuss some of the challenges in the interpretation of multiwavelength observations of highly eccentric binaries such as eta Carinae.