Perhaps the most common question that a child asks when he or she sees the night sky from a dark site for the first time is: 'How many stars are there?' This happens to be a question which has exercised the intellectual skills of many astronomers over the course of most of the last century, including, for the last two decades, one of the authors of this text. Until recently, the most accurate answer was 'We are not certain, but there is a good chance that almost all of them are M dwarfs. ' Within the last three years, results from new sky-surveys - particularly the first deep surveys at near infrared wavelengths - have provided a breakthrough in this subject, solidifying our census of the lowest-mass stars and identifying large numbers of the hitherto almost mythical substellar-mass brown dwarfs. These extremely low-luminosity objects are the central subjects of this book, and the subtitle should be interpreted accordingly. The expression 'low-mass stars' carries a wide range of meanings in the astronomical literature, but is most frequently taken to refer to objects with masses comparable with that of the Sun - F and G dwarfs, and their red giant descendants. While this definition is eminently reasonable for the average extragalactic astronomer, our discussion centres on M dwarfs, with masses of no more than 60% that of the Sun, and extends to 'failed stars' - objects with insufficient mass to ignite central hydrogen fusion.

This thought-provoking book looks at the nature of red dwarf systems as potential homes for life. Realistically, what are the prospects for life on these distant worlds? Could life evolve and survive there? How do these planetary surfaces and geologies evolve? How would life on a planet orbiting a red dwarf differ from life on Earth? And what are the implications for finding further habitable worlds in our galaxy? The author provides readers with insight into the habitability of planets and how this changes as time progresses and the central star evolves. Since the previous 2013 edition Under a Crimson Sun, there has been a rise in newly discovered planets orbiting red dwarfs, accompanied by controversial areas of research that test what we think we know about these systems. This revised edition delves into the wealth of new material uncovered since that date. It explains the often conflicting results and analyses put forward and clarifies our understanding of these exciting new worlds. The chapters explore the full width of relevant scientific discovery and speculation on the potential for red dwarf planets to host life. New content includes improved atmospheric models, new understandings of the impact of stellar radiation on the atmosphere of red dwarf worlds, tidal-locking, and comparisons with terrestrial geology and climate.

IAU Colloquium No. 71 had its immediate origins in a small gathering of people interested. in the optical and UV study of flare stars which took place during the 1979 Montreal General Assembly. We recognized that a fundamental change was taking place in the study of these objects. Space-borne instruments (especially lUE and Einstein) and a new genera tion of ground-based equipment were having a profound effect on the range of investigations it was possible to make. To extract maximum benefit from these new possibilities it would be necessary as never before to have good communication with colleagues in other disciplines, for instance,. with atomic and solar physicists. Similarly, studies of phenomena associated with the outer atmospheres of the late-type stars could now hope to give significant insights into certain aspects of solar activity. So, in view of the wide range of backgrounds of those participating, the meeting had an unusually high proportion of invited reviews while most of the contributed papers were presented as posters. It is gratifying that in the short time since the meeting a good deal of correspondence has been received from participants remarking on the success of this format. Once the decision had been taken in principle to hold the meeting, a very considerable amount of work fell on the two organizing committees, viz. the Scientific and Local Organizing Committees. The Scientific Organizing Committee was chaired by D.J. Mullan and consisted of A.D.

Gliese 581 is a red dwarf star some 20.3 light years from Earth. Red dwarfs are among the most numerous stars in the galaxy, and they sport diverse planetary systems. At magnitude 10, Gliese 581 is visible to amateur observers but does not stand out. So what makes this star so important? It is that professional observers have confirmed that it has at least four planets orbiting it, and in 2009, Planet d was described in the letters of The Astrophysical Journal as “the first confirmed exoplanet that could support Earth-like life.” Under a Crimson Sun looks at the nature of red dwarf systems such as Gliese as potential homes for life. Realistically, what are prospects for life on these distant worlds? Could life evolve and survive there? How do these planetary surfaces and geology evolve? How would life on a red dwarf planet differ from life on Earth? And what are the implications for finding further habitable worlds in our galaxy? Stevenson provides readers with insight into the habitability of planets and how this changes as time progresses and the central star evolves. Explore with him in this engaging, fascinating book the possibilities for finding life, from bacteria to more complex and even intelligent organisms, on red dwarf system planets.

Number three of the Red Dwarf novels. Read the continuing adventures of Clay Stone. This is the continuing story of a Starship Captain who embarks on a stellar mission to Lyuten 726-8, a twin star system of red dwarfs will be the next logical objective. 8.2 light years away on a starship named, "The Bruit". He is accompanied by his wife, Mandy and son Beryl. Omni Fleet nemeses, the Star Pirates emerge. Meanwhile, the Masonic order of the Knights Templar (An elite fighting force of warrior monks) joins forces. Will the Knights Templar become Omni Fleet's salvation? The trip is fraught with trials and tribulations, and Omni Fleet Corporation is almost doomed near the end. The story is packed full of humor, romance, action and adventure. You're going to love this one too. Keep an eye out for Red Dwarf IV Captain Beryl's epic adventure. But, PLEASE, don't tell anyone the ending.

Number two of the Red Dwarf novels. Read the continuing adventures of Clay Stone. This is the continuing story of a Starship Captain who embarks on a stellar mission to a red dwarf star called Alpha Proxima 4.2 light years away on a starship named, "The Beast". He is accompanied by his new wife, Mandy. The trip is a disaster and the trials and tribulations are many, but Omni Fleet Academy is almost doomed near the end. The story is packed full of humor, romance, action and adventure. You're going to love this one too. But, PLEASE, don't tell anyone the ending.

One of the major open questions in high energy physics and cosmology is the nature and origin of dark matter. Dark Matter in Astrophysics and Particle Physics 1998 provides a comprehensive overview of the current status of research in this topical field. The book brings together leading researchers from around the world to review recent progress and future directions for research in the different approaches to the dark matter problem. It collects results from cosmology, large-scale structure, and accelerator and nonaccelerator physics. The book also reviews the correlations between and the virtues of each of the fields for the determination of abundance, nature, and origin of dark matter.