A circumstellar journey-physics and chemistry of AGB stellar winds

Paper in proceeding, 2008

The physics and chemistry of the envelopes of gas and dust that surround stars on the asymptotic giant branch are the subjects of this review. Estimates of stellar mass-loss rates in this phase, as determined through observations and modelling of different circumstellar probes, are discussed. A particular phenomenon of highly episodic mass loss is described. Estimates of circumstellar molecular abundances are compared with expectations from chemical models.