Context : It has been predicted that the object KIC 9832227 – a contact binary star – will undergo a merger in 2022.2 \pm 0.7 .
We describe the near infrared spectrum of this object as an impetus to obtain pre-merger data .

Aims : We aim to characterise ( i ) the nature of the individual components of the binary and ( ii ) the likely circumbinary environment , so that the merger – if and when it occurs – can be interpreted in an informed manner .

Methods : We use infrared spectroscopy in the wavelength range 0.7 \mu m–2.5 \mu m , to which we fit model atmospheres to represent the individual stars .
We use the binary ephemeris to determine the orbital phase at the time of observation .

Results : We find that the infrared spectrum is best fitted by a single component having effective temperature 5 920 K , \log { [ g ] } = 4.1 and solar metallicity , consistent with the fact that the system was observed at conjunction .

Conclusions : The strength of the infrared H lines is consistent with a high value of \log { g } , and the strength of the Ca ii triplet indicates the presence of a chromosphere , as might be expected from rapid stellar rotation .
The He i absorption we observe likely arises in He excited by coronal activity in a circumstellar envelope , suggesting that the weakness of the Ca ii triplet is also likely chromospheric in origin .