What solar mass threshold typically separates K-type stars from the less massive M-type red dwarfs?
Answer
The main sequence mass range for K-type stars typically begins around 0.5 solar masses ($M_ ext{sun}$).
Stellar classification based on mass is crucial for determining stellar evolution paths. For K-type stars, their lower boundary is explicitly set relative to the smallest main sequence stars. Stars possessing masses below approximately 0.5 solar masses ($0.5 M_ ext{sun}$) are conventionally classified as M-type red dwarfs. Therefore, K-type stars begin their classification range starting at this $0.5 M_ ext{sun}$ point, meaning they are significantly more massive than the absolute smallest stars in the galaxy, although they are still considered low-mass relative to solar-type stars.
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