red dwarf
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A red dwarf is a type of star that is small, old, and has a relatively low surface temperature compared to other stars like our Sun. It is the most common type of star in the Milky Way galaxy.
Usage
The term is used in astronomy to classify a specific, very numerous category of stars. * Most stars in our galaxy are red dwarfs. * Proxima Centauri, the nearest star to the Sun, is a red dwarf. * Scientists are searching for planets orbiting red dwarfs.
Advanced Usage
- Red dwarf star: A fuller, more descriptive term with the same meaning.
- The telescope is designed to study the atmospheres of planets around red dwarf stars.
Variants and Related Words
- M-dwarf: A common synonym in astronomical classification, referring to stars of spectral type M, which are red dwarfs.
- Main-sequence star: A red dwarf is a specific type of main-sequence star, which is a star fusing hydrogen into helium in its core.
Synonyms
- M-dwarf
- Low-mass star (in a specific context)
Different Meanings
The term "red dwarf" has a specific astronomical meaning and is not typically used in other contexts or idioms.
Noun
- a small, old, relatively cool star; approximately 100 times the mass of Jupiter