Mass Loss from Stars

Abstract

In this summary we shall attempt to evaluate the mass loss from several kinds of high luminosity stars, especially planetary nebulae, OB supergiants and M giants and supergiants. The purpose is to give an observational basis for the discussion of the mechanism of mass loss and of the consequences of stellar mass loss for the interstellar medium and for stellar evolution. For reasons which will presently be discussed, we are now certain that mass loss is occurring in all the objects mentioned, and probably to a similar extent in all high luminosity stars as well. The precise values of the mass loss rate are uncertain at present; for some objects the uncertainty will be large (two orders of magnitude) and have important influence on the consequences of the mass loss. Therefore we shall discuss in some detail how the different loss rates quoted in the literature have been obtained and what assumptions have been made (see also the Report by Boyarchuk, p. 281). On the basis of this discussion we will indicate the most probable loss rates and their consequences, always remembering the possible influence of the uncertainties.