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Preliminary Conclusions
Based on our current knowledge, we conclude that M dwarf stars may indeed be viable hosts for planets
on which the origin and evolution of life can occur.
Although the classic circumstellar habitable zone for M stars
is ~1/10 the width of that of G stars, and
there are a number of processes that may limit the duration
of planetary habitability to periods far shorter than the
lifetime of the M dwarf star,
it makes sense to include M dwarf stars older than ~1 Gyr in
programs that seek to find habitable worlds and their inhabitants.
Research to be conducted over the next eighteen months may cause us to
narrow the scope of this preliminary conclusion, especially in regard
to the age and mass of suitable M dwarfs.
Note: Due to budget cuts, we have not convened a second workshop.
