Asymptotic giant branch stars as astroparticle laboratories

We show that the inclusion of axion emission during stellar evolution intro duces important changes into the evolutionary behaviour of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars. The mass of the resulting C/O white dwarf (WD) is much lower than the equivalent obtained from standard evolution. This implies a deficit in luminous AGE stars and in massive WDs. Moreover, the total mass processed in the nuclear burning shells that is dredged up to the surface (third D-up) increases when axion emission is included, modifying the chemi cal composition of the photosphere. We conclude that the AGE is a promising phase with which to put constraints on particle physics.