phyzguy said:If you look at this list of the 100 nearest stars, over 50% have <0.20 solar masses. These types of stars are quite common, but become difficult to detect as they get further away because they are intrinsically so dim.
http://joy.chara.gsu.edu/RECONS/TOP100.posted.htm
A dwarf star is a type of star that is smaller and cooler than other types of stars, such as main sequence stars. They are also known as low-mass stars because they have a mass that is less than half of the Sun's mass.
Scientists can detect dwarf stars through various methods such as measuring the star's brightness, temperature, and spectral signatures. One common method is using telescopes to observe the star's light and analyze its characteristics.
Dwarf stars are the most abundant type of star in the universe, making up about 80% of all stars. By detecting and studying these stars, scientists can gain a better understanding of the structure and evolution of the universe.
While dwarf stars are smaller and cooler than other stars, some of them can still have habitable zones where liquid water may exist. However, these stars also tend to be more prone to solar flares and other intense activity, which could make it challenging for life to exist on any potential planets orbiting them.
The most well-known example of a dwarf star is our Sun, which is a type of dwarf star called a G-type main sequence star. Other examples include M-type or red dwarf stars, which are the most common type of star in the universe, and white dwarf stars, which are the remnants of stars that have exhausted their nuclear fuel.