Most Milky Way Stars Single

Stars like the Sun and larger have long been known to form in double or multiple systems, leading to the now-common belief among astronomers that most stars in the Universe exist in multiple systems. However, a recent study carried out at Harvard's Center for Astrophysics has shown that low-mass stars rarely form in systems. These red, low-mass stars are significantly more abundant than the heavier, bluer stars, and therefore, this new study concludes that most stars in the galaxy are solitary red dwarfs. Additionally, since planets are believed to form more easily around single stars, planets may also be more abundant than previously believed.