The Astrophysical Journal · 1987 · 59 citations · 0 references
Natural SciencesAstronomyPhysicsAstrophysicsInfrared AstronomyStellar AstronomyMain-sequence StarsOpen ClustersRed GiantsStar ClustersStellar EvolutionStellar Mass LossMass Loss From StarsOpen Cluster EvolutionOpen Cluster Giant StarsOpen Cluster Main Sequence TurnoffRed Giant EvolutionRed Giant Mass LossRed Giant StarsStellar Evolutionary Models
The author has searched for mass-losing stars in open clusters with main-sequence turn-offs at intermediate mass by using the IRAS data base. The absence of many strong 60 μm sources in open clusters implies that intermediate-mass stars lose much of their mass during an intense wind phase of rather short duration. For stars of masses ≡7 M_sun;, this phase, if it exists at all, lasts for not much more than 10<SUP>5</SUP>yr. For stars of ≡4 M_sun;, the intense wind phase appears to last considerably less than 10<SUP>7</SUP>yr; it may well last for less than 10<SUP>6</SUP>yr.