Radiation Alone Doesn’t Drive Stardust

High‑resolution polarimetric observations of the red giant R Doradus show dust grains around the star are far smaller than required for radiation pressure to expel them. That implies another physical mechanism (e.g., gas drag, magnetic/episodic processes, or companion‑driven ejection) must account for how carbon, oxygen and other elements are distributed through the interstellar medium. — Revising the dominant model for dust dispersal reshapes narratives about how planetary systems form and how the chemical building blocks of life are redistributed in galaxies, affecting research priorities, telescope strategies, and public understanding of cosmic origins.