Selected topics in the evolution of low-mass stars

TL;DR

This paper reviews the evolution of low-mass stars, highlighting current uncertainties such as the solar abundance problem, mass loss, and helium enrichment in globular clusters.

Contribution

It provides a concise overview of key issues and uncertainties in low-mass stellar evolution models, emphasizing recent challenges and topics of interest.

Findings

Discussion of the solar abundance problem

Analysis of mass loss on the red giant branch

Insights into helium enrichment in globular clusters

Abstract

Low-mass stars play a key role in many different areas of astrophysics. In this article, I provide a brief overview of the evolution of low-mass stars, and discuss some of the uncertainties and problems currently affecting low-mass stellar models. Emphasis is placed on the following topics: the solar abundance problem, mass loss on the red giant branch, and the level of helium enrichment associated to the multiple populations that are present in globular clusters.