Advances in mass-loss prediction

We present the results of Monte Carlo mass-loss predictions for massive stars covering a wide range of stellar parameters. We critically test our predictions against a range of observed massloss rates in light of the recent discussions on wind clumping. We also present a model to compute the clumping-induced polarimetric variability of hot stars and we compare this with observations of Luminous Blue Variables, for which polarimetric variability is larger than for O and Wolf-Rayet stars. Luminous Blue Variables comprise an ideal testbed for studies of wind clumping and wind geometry, as well as for wind strength calculations, and we propose they may be direct supernova progenitors.Fil: Vink, J. S.. Armagh Observatory; Reino UnidoFil: Benaglia, Paula. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Instituto Argentino de Radioastronomía. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto Argentino de Radioastronomía; ArgentinaFil: Davies, B.. Rochester Institute Of Technology (rit); Estados UnidosFil: de Koter, A.. University of Amsterdam; Países BajosFil: Oudmaijer, R. D.. University of Leeds; Reino UnidoClumping in hot star windsPostamAlemaniaUniversidad de Postda