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K V star

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.

References

See also

• Solar twins