Objective Across our Universe, the dynamics and chemical evolution of spiral galaxies like the Milky Way are primarily controlled by the lives and deaths of stars with masses many times that of the Sun. But the evolution of these massive stars is, in turn, highly regulated by the huge amounts of mass lost from their surfaces, by means of powerful starlight-driven winds. These stellar winds critically determine how such massive stars evolve through their lives, and how they finally die in giant supernova explosions. However, due to the very large quantitative uncertainties associated with this mass loss, present-day predictions for such massive-star evolution are seriously flawed. The overarching goal of this ambitious project is to fundamentally improve this situation by using novel methods to develop new models of radiation-driven winds from hot, massive stars. Combining state-of-the art numerical NLTE radiative transfer and hydrodynamics with innovative analytic techniques and theory development, the applying researcher proposes to 1) develop new, drastically improved wind models from main-sequence massive stars, and 2) simulate the winds of the most massive stars known in the Universe as well as design the very first general predictive theoretical framework for the wind driving and mass loss from evolved Wolf-Rayet stars. By furthermore examining the effects of the new mass-loss rates on models of stellar evolution, and carefully comparing the new simulation results with observations, this project will fundamentally improve our knowledge of the basic wind-physics of massive stars, as well as significantly contribute to our understanding of the evolution and ultimate fates of these stars. Indeed, the results expected during the fellowship will undoubtedly form the building blocks of many future scientific projects, allowing then for further progress also in the large number of research fields relying on a firm understanding of the lives and deaths of massive stars. Fields of science natural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyobservational astronomygravitational wavesnatural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomystellar astronomyneutron starsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyastrophysicsblack holesnatural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomystellar astronomysupernova Keywords astrophysics massive stars mass loss stellar winds and outflows stellar evolution stellar atmospheres radiative transfer hydrodynamics Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2014-EF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF) Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2014 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF) Coordinator AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS Net EU contribution € 170 121,60 Address CALLE SERRANO 117 28006 Madrid Spain See on map Region Comunidad de Madrid Comunidad de Madrid Madrid Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 170 121,60
