Theory and Diagnostics of Hot Star Mass Loss
Abstract
Massive stars have strong stellar winds that direct their evolution through the upper Hertzsprung–Russell diagram and determine the black hole mass function. Furthermore, wind strength dictates the atmospheric structure that sets the ionizing flux. Finally, the wind directly intervenes with the stellar envelope structure, which is decisive for both single-star and binary evolution, affecting predictions for gravitational wave events. Key findings of current hot star research include: ▪ The traditional line-driven wind theory is being updated with Monte Carlo and comoving frame computations, revealing a rich multivariate behavior of the mass-loss rate [Formula: see text] in terms of M, L, Eddington Γ, T eff , and chemical composition Z. Concerning the latter, [Formula: see text] is shown to depend on the iron (Fe) opacity, making Wolf–Rayet populations, and gravitational wave events dependent on host galaxy Z. ▪ On top of smooth mass-loss behavior, there are several transitions in the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram, involving bistability jumps around Fe recombination temperatures, leading to quasi-stationary episodic, and not necessarily eruptive, luminous blue variable and pre-SN mass loss. ▪ Furthermore, there are kinks. At 100 [Formula: see text] a high Γ mass-loss transition implies that hydrogen-rich, very massive stars have higher mass-loss rates than commonly considered. At the other end of the mass spectrum, low-mass stripped helium stars no longer appear as Wolf–Rayet…
Read the paper
Related studies
- A Survey on Knowledge Graphs: Representation, Acquisition, and Applications
- Toxicity of nanomaterials
- The Human Gene Mutation Database: towards a comprehensive repository of inherited mutation data for medical research, genetic diagnosis and next-generation sequencing studies
- Halogen bonding (X‐bonding): A biological perspective
- Biofilm formation at the air–liquid interface by the Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25 wrinkly spreader requires an acetylated form of cellulose
- Opioid Activation of Toll-Like Receptor 4 Contributes to Drug Reinforcement
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.