  With the successful launch of Chandra and XMM/Newton X-ray space missions
combined with the lower-energy band observations, we are in the position where
careful comparison of neutron star cooling theories with observations will make
it possible to distinguish among various competing theories. For instance, the
latest theoretical and observational developments already exclude both nucleon
and kaon direct URCA cooling. In this way we can now have realistic hope for
determining various important properties, such as the composition, degree of
superfluidity, the equation of state and steller radius. These developments
should help us obtain better insight into the properties of dense matter.
