Pioneering studies of winds from non-coronal evolved late-type stars were plagued by uncertainties in the Ca ionization balance which severely limited the accuracy of derived mass-loss rates. Here we re-examine the Ca II ionization balance in these stellar winds using FUSE spectra which reveal, for the first time, the flux from the photoionizing radiation field shortward of 1045Â. We present a FUSE 912-1185Â spectroscopic survey of evolved late-K and M stars; including the M giants α Cet (M1.5 III), γ Cru (M3.5 III), β Gru (M4.5 III), and R Dor (M8e III). Using FUSE spectra of α Tau (K5 III), supplemented with partial redistribution calculations of H Ly-α and Ly-β, together with UV and radio data, we present a study of α Tau's wind ionization balance and derive new constraints which place the mass-loss rate significantly below that suggested by the Reimers formula.

Betelgeuse is an example of a cool supergiant displaying brightness fluctuations and irregular surface structures. Simulations by Freytag, Steffen, & Dorch (2002) of the convective envelope of the star have shown that the fluctuations in the star's luminosity may be caused by giant cell convection. A related question regarding the nature of Betelgeuse and supergiants in general is whether these stars may be magnetically active. If so, that may in turn also contribute to their variability. By performing detailed numerical simulations, I find that both linear kinematic and non-linear dynamo action are possible and that the non-linear magnetic field saturates at a value somewhat below equipartition: in the linear regime there are two modes of dynamo action.

The companion CD-ROM for Stars as Suns: Activity, Evolution, and Planets includes all of the papers in this printed volume (IAU Symposium 219) and the poster papers that were submitted for publication. The poster papers (denoted in the Table of Contents by the pagination CD-xxx) can only be found in the CD-ROM. These poster papers are individually paginated and should be referenced in a similar way as the papers in the book, but with a page reference prefaced by “CD—” as it appears on the pages of the papers.