The origin of subluminous B stars is still an unsolved problem in stellar evolution. Single star as well as close binary evolution scenarios have been invoked but until now have met with little success. We have carried out a small survey of spectroscopic binary candidates (19 systems consisting of an sdB star and late type companion) with the Planetary Camera of the WFPC2 onboard Hubble Space T...

Extensive post-main sequence mass loss occurs for low and intermediate mass stars on the asymptotic giant branch (AGB), and for the higher mass stars during their red supergiant evolution. These winds aaect the evolution of the stars profoundly, as well as the enrichment of the interstellar medium with heavy elements and grain particles. The mass loss on the AGB is the by far the most well stud...