K V star

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A K V star is a main sequence (hydrogen-burning) star of spectral type K and luminosity class V. These stars are intermediate in size between red M-type main sequence stars of luminosity class V and yellow G-type main sequence stars of luminosity class V. They have masses of from 0.5 to 0.8 times the mass of the Sun and surface temperatures between 3,900 and 5,200 K.[1], Tables VII, VIII. Examples include Alpha Centauri B and Epsilon Indi.[2]

These stars are of particular interest in the search for extraterrestrial life because they are stable on the main sequence for a very long time (15 to 30 billion years, compared to 10 billion for the Sun). This may create an opportunity for life to evolve on terrestrial planets orbiting such stars.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Empirical bolometric corrections for the main-sequence, G. M. H. J. Habets and J. R. W. Heintze, Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement 46 (November 1981), pp. 193–237.
  2. ^ SIMBAD, entries for Alpha Centauri B and Epsilon Indi, accessed on line June 19, 2007.

[edit] See also

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