Unravelling stellar evolution of single and binary stars.

We plan to overcome fundamental shortcomings in the current understanding of the evolution of low- and intermediate-mass (binary) stars by exploiting new space and ground-based (inter)national facilities. These shortcomings are mainly related to our poor understanding of both the internal mixing processes deep in the stellar interior, and the physical and chemical processes responsible to drive and sustain the external mass loss. The integrated mass loss of solar-like stars is one of the major contributions to the enrichment of the interstellar medium (ISM) in gas and dust grains and hence impacts on the whole galaxy. Additional complexity comes from the fact that about half of the stars are born in binaries. During evolution, a rich zoo of peculiar objects is born from the interactions between the loosely bound envelope of a giant, and the gravitational pull of a companion. By combining the different areas of expertise at the whole IvS, this GOA will allow to exploit our unique position with the goal to progress significantly in the understanding of the evolution of solar-like (binary) stars.

Keywords:Stellar evolution

Disciplines:Astronomy and space sciences