Howdy, Neighbors: Long-term study finds a batch of red dwarfs

The galactic neighborhood just got more crowded. Astronomers have found 20 previously unknown star systems that lie within 33 light-years of Earth. All the stars are faint, low-mass objects called red dwarfs, which rank among the most prevalent stars in the Milky Way.

THE STARS NEXT DOOR. A pair of red dwarfs, dubbed SCR 0630-7643, shown in this artist’s representation, is one of 20 newfound star systems that lie within 33 light-years of Earth.