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Stellar Winds

Stars continuously lose mass through stellar winds. The mechanism and intensity depend on the star type, driving everything from gentle solar winds to extreme mass loss in evolved giants.

Star Type

2×10⁻¹⁴
Mass Loss (M☉/yr)
400
Wind Speed (km/s)
0
Particles
5,800
Surface Temp (K)

Controls

Wind Mechanism

The solar wind is driven by the hot corona. Thermal energy accelerates particles to escape velocity, carrying plasma into the heliosphere.

Protons/Ions
Electrons
Dust (AGB winds)
Molecules (cool winds)