Establishing a Mass-Loss Rate Relation for Red Supergiants

Watch an astronomy research presentation exploring the relationship between mass-loss rates and luminosity in red supergiants (RSGs). Learn about a comprehensive study analyzing over 2000 RSG candidates in the Large Magellanic Cloud using UV to mid-IR photometry across 49 filters. Discover how the research team used the DUSTY radiative transfer code to determine luminosity and mass-loss rates, revealing a significant turning point at log(L/L⊙) = 4.4 where mass-loss rates increase dramatically. Examine the correlation between enhanced mass-loss rates and photometric variability, and understand how different wind models affect mass-loss rate calculations. Follow the investigation into potential metallicity effects by comparing RSG populations across multiple galaxies including the Small Magellanic Cloud, M31, and M33.