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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 April 2016
I will review the rapid progress in our understanding of active dwarf stars, which has been stimulated by recent IUE, Einstein, and ground-based observations, by asking a series of questions. The most fundamental question is the extent to which magnetic fields control nonflare phenomena in these stars. There are a number of aspects to this question:
(1) What is the evidence for large scale magnetic structures similar to solar plages in these stars and how does a plage system differ from a quiescent spectrum?
(2) Can the enhanced heating in these stars be explained by solar-like magnetic flux tubes?
(3) What roles do systematic flows play in active dwarf atmospheres?
(4) What Is the relation between heating rates in different layers of these stars?
(5) By what mechanisms are active dwarf chromospheres and transition regions heated?
(6) What are semiempirical models telling us about active dwarf stars?
Recent observations are permitting us to begin to answer these questions.