04/15/2024
By Lynne Schaufenbil

Please join the Lowell Center for Space Science and Technology for the seminar "Small Stars Rule The Galaxy!" on Thursday, April 18 at 11 a.m. by Jennifer Winters, Assistant Professor of Physics, Photonics and Optical Engineering, Science and Mathematics Center, Bridgewater State University.

Abstract
Small, low-mass stars are the most numerous types of stars in theGalaxy, with 75% of all stars expected to be of spectral class M (and thus known as M dwarfs), corresponding to masses roughly 10% - 60% that of our Sun. However, due to their low luminosities, studying this population has been particularly challenging, and many of their properties --- such as their ages, activities, multiplicity --- remain unconstrained. With numerous on-going surveys searching for planets around these low-mass systems, it is critical that the stars themselves be thoroughly understood. In this talk, I will present the results of my survey to identify and discover the very closest companions to the nearest M dwarfs. I will then highlight LTT 1445, a triple M dwarf system at 7 parsecs that hosts two transiting rocky planets, to illustrate why it is so critical that we understand exoplanets' host stars.

Please contact Lynne_Schaufenbil@uml.edu if you would like to attend either in person or virtually.