Red dwarf stars and our Sun differ significantly in terms of brightness and temperature. Here are some key distinctions:
Brightness: Red dwarf stars are generally much fainter or dimmer than our Sun. They have lower luminosities because they are smaller and have lower energy outputs. Red dwarfs typically emit only a fraction of the Sun's total energy.
Temperature: Red dwarf stars have lower surface temperatures compared to the Sun. While the Sun's surface temperature is around 5,500 degrees Celsius (9,932 degrees Fahrenheit), red dwarfs are cooler, with surface temperatures typically ranging from about 2,500 to 4,000 degrees Celsius (4,532 to 7,232 degrees Fahrenheit). The cooler temperature of red dwarfs gives them a reddish hue, hence the name.
Size: Red dwarfs are smaller than the Sun. They can have as little as about 7.5% the mass of the Sun and diameters that are significantly smaller. Red dwarfs are classified as low-mass stars, while the Sun is considered a medium-sized star.
Lifetime: Red dwarf stars have much longer lifetimes than the Sun. The Sun is expected to have a total lifespan of around 10 billion years, while red dwarfs can burn their fuel very slowly and live for tens to hundreds of billions of years. This extended lifespan is due to their lower energy output and slower nuclear reactions.
Despite their differences, red dwarf stars are actually the most common type of star in the universe. They make up a significant portion of the stellar population and are known to host numerous exoplanets, some of which could potentially support life. Their long lifetimes and abundance make them intriguing targets for the search for habitable environments outside our solar system.