Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 July 2007
Contemporary information on the nature of the circumstellar environment in early-type interacting binaries derived from observation is discussed. Emphasis is placed on results from FUV spectroscopy. New spectra from the FUSE spacecraft and earlier FUV observations with IUE have revealed the presence of hot interaction regions, bipolar outflows, splash outflows, and accretion hot spots in Algol-type systems with B-type mass gainers. In addition, close O-type pairs and systems containing O + W stars show a shock-heated region generated from their colliding winds. Recent FUSE observations of an apparent hot accretion spot and associated splash plasma in the direct-impact system U Cephei are presented.