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A '''red dwarf''' is a relatively cool and dim main sequence [[star]] of either spectral class M or late K.  Red dwarfs characteristically are the lowest mass stars in the main sequence, having less then one half of the mass of the [[Sun]], and may have as little as 0.075 times as much (any less and they would not be able to fuse hydrogen and instead becoming [[brown dwarf|brown dwarfs]]).<ref>http://spiff.rit.edu/classes/phys230/lectures/planneb/planneb.html</ref> Their surface temperatures averaging only around 2500 to 3500K. Red dwarfs are actually the most numerous class of stars in the [[galaxy]], making up more than half of all the stars including 21 of the 30 closest stars to our own [[Solar System]].<ref>http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/S/starsnearest.html</ref>

A '''red dwarf''' is a relatively cool and dim main sequence [[star]] of either spectral class M or late K.  Red dwarfs characteristically are the lowest mass stars in the main sequence, having less then one half of the mass of the [[Sun]], and may have as little as 0.075 times as much (any less and they would not be able to fuse hydrogen and instead becoming [[brown dwarf|brown dwarfs]]).<ref>http://spiff.rit.edu/classes/phys230/lectures/planneb/planneb.html</ref> Their surface temperatures averaging only around 2500 to 3500K. Red dwarfs are actually the most numerous class of stars in the [[galaxy]], making up more than half of all the stars including 21 of the 30 closest stars to our own [[Solar System]].<ref>http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/S/starsnearest.html</ref>

Red dwarfs, unlike higher mass stars, generate most of their surface energy entirely through [[convection]], instead of [[radiation]].  This is due the density of the star in relation to temperature, making it difficult for energy to be transported to the surface through the radiation process from the core.  Because of this, red dwarfs can burn a proportionally higher percentage of their [[hydrogen]] fuel before evolving off of the main sequence, allowing these stars to have a lifespan that is longer then the 13.7 billion year estimated age of the [[universe]].  The lower a red dwarf's mass is, the longer the star will remain on the main sequence, with the lowest mass dwarfs having an estimated lifespan exceeding 10 trillion years.<ref>http://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/9701131v1</ref>

Red dwarfs, unlike higher mass stars, generate most of their surface energy entirely through [[convection]], instead of [[radiation]].  This is due the density of the star in relation to temperature, making it difficult for energy to be transported to the surface through the radiation process from the core.  Because of this, red dwarfs can burn a proportionally higher percentage of their [[hydrogen]] fuel before evolving off of the main sequence, allowing these stars to have a lifespan that is really long.  The lower a red dwarf's mass is, the longer the star will remain on the main sequence, with the lowest mass dwarfs having an estimated lifespan exceeding 10 trillion years.<ref>http://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/9701131v1</ref>

Despite being the most numerous type of stars in the galaxy, no red dwarf is visible in the night sky by the unaided eye even under the best conditions, including the closet star to us, [[Proxima Centauri]]. Even the largest red dwarf has a visual luminosity 10% of the Sun's, most have much less, with some as little as 1/10,000th the brightness.

Despite being the most numerous type of stars in the galaxy, no red dwarf is visible in the night sky by the unaided eye even under the best conditions, including the closet star to us, [[Proxima Centauri]]. Even the largest red dwarf has a visual luminosity 10% of the Sun's, most have much less, with some as little as 1/10,000th the brightness.