solarlike

Solarlike, or solar-like, is an astronomical term used to describe stars that resemble the Sun in essential properties. In practice, solarlike stars are solar-type or solar twins: main-sequence stars with spectral types roughly late-F to early-K, masses about 0.8–1.2 solar masses, and luminosities near that of the Sun. They typically have near-solar metallicity and surface temperatures around 5,200–6,000 K.

A defining feature is a convective outer envelope, which drives magnetic dynamos and activity cycles. This can produce sunspot-like activity, cycles, and flares, though amplitudes vary with age and rotation. Solar-like stars also exhibit oscillations generated by convection—solar-like or p-mode oscillations—that can be studied with asteroseismology to probe internal structure.

Solarlike stars are central to stellar physics and exoplanet research. They serve as benchmarks for models of stellar evolution and for understanding planetary formation and habitability around Sun-like stars. The Sun itself is the prototype; many nearby and distant solar-type stars have been studied extensively with space-based photometry and spectroscopy.

Terminology notes: "solar-type," "solar-like," and "solar twins" are related terms. Solar twins refer to stars that closely match the Sun in multiple properties, while solar-like broadly includes late-F to early-K main-sequence stars. Researchers use these categories to describe comparative studies of stars and their planetary systems.