This research project will continue and expand a vigorous program of research on questions related to binaries in dense stellar environments and close binary systems. The specific problems exhibit a range of difficulty. Some, like the influence of the interstellar medium on the observability of supersoft sources, are ones for which the relevant tools are rather easily available and can be completed relatively quickly. Others, like work on three- and four- body processes in globular clusters, require a good deal of study and work to lay proper foundations for the research proposed here. The work on mass stripping during tidal capture and circularization falls into this category. This is a broad research program, to be carried out over a two year period. There are interconnections between many of the questions to be explored, and previous work in all of these areas provides a strong lead-in for several of the problems. Interactive activities include teaching an astronomy course at the advanced undergraduate level, and a graduate course on galactic dynamics. Other activities involve: hosting a regional conference to address local needs regarding encouraging young women in the sciences (at the undergraduate level and above) to enthusiastically pursue their interest in science, and the possibility of networking and other strategies to enhance the effectiveness of existing local resources; and working with the Center for Astrophysics Women's Program Committee to design and participate in workshops for young women scientists at the Center.
