Stellar evaporation

Stellar evaporation refers to the gradual process through which stars lose mass over time. This phenomenon primarily occurs in massive stars, which can expel significant amounts of gas and energy through stellar winds—streams of charged particles released from their surfaces. As stars age and exhaust their nuclear fuel, they become unstable and may shed outer layers, leading to a decrease in mass. This mass loss can affect the star's evolution, lifespan, and eventual fate, such as becoming a supernova or a neutron star. Ultimately, stellar evaporation plays a vital role in the lifecycle of stars and the dynamics of galaxies.