Red Dwarf By Andrew Lem

The red dwarf is the most common star in our galaxy, they cover around 70% or our galaxy The red dwarf is the most common star in our galaxy, they cover around 70% or our galaxy A red dwarf is between 8% and 50% the mass of the sun A red dwarf is between 8% and 50% the mass of the sun Because of the low mass of this star the nuclear reactions that consume the hydrogen core can take as billion years, 6 billion years more than the estimated age of our universe. Because of the low mass of this star the nuclear reactions that consume the hydrogen core can take as billion years, 6 billion years more than the estimated age of our universe.

Red dwarfs cores are relatively low temperature and generate energy slowly through nuclear fusion of hydrogen Red dwarfs cores are relatively low temperature and generate energy slowly through nuclear fusion of hydrogen With the nuclear fusion or the hydrogen this star creates helium, this is called Proton-proton chain reaction With the nuclear fusion or the hydrogen this star creates helium, this is called Proton-proton chain reaction Further fusion in stars only take place in heavier stars otherwise the gravity forces the star to contract and form a cool red dwarf Further fusion in stars only take place in heavier stars otherwise the gravity forces the star to contract and form a cool red dwarf Since red dwarfs are cool they don’t shine very bright in fact they can emit as little as 1/10,000 of the suns light but can shine for trillions of years longer Since red dwarfs are cool they don’t shine very bright in fact they can emit as little as 1/10,000 of the suns light but can shine for trillions of years longer

This is a picture of a red dwarf, proxima centauri This is a picture of a red dwarf, proxima centauri It has an estimated lifetime of trillions or years It has an estimated lifetime of trillions or years Currently it is having explosive outbursts on the surface due to its low mass and magnetic energy Currently it is having explosive outbursts on the surface due to its low mass and magnetic energy