Mass loss by cool stars

Mass loss by cool giant stars is very likely the most important mechanism for returning processed stellar material to the interstellar medium. This mass loss has profound effects on the evolution of individual intermediate mass stars and the chemical evolution of the Milky Way. The IRAS point source catalog is ideally suited for identifying those stars with large mass loss rates in dust grains. These stars, in turn, become prime targets for radio and infrared studies of outflowing gas. The total rate of return of processed material to the interstellar medium can then be obtained.