CREDIT: ESO/M. KORNMESSER
Proxima Centauri is a red dwarf, a small low-mass star, about 4.25 light-years from the Sun in the constellation of Centaurus. Wikipedia Distance to Earth: 4.243 light years Radius: 100,900 km (0.145 R☉) Mass: 2.446 × 10^29 kg (0.123 M☉) Absolute magnitude: 15.49 Surface temperature: 3,042 K Luminosity: 0.0017 L☉
It is invisible to the naked eye from Earth and outshone by the bright glow of Alpha Centauri, but our closest star is holding an intriguing secret, scientists have discovered. Proxima Centauri, which lies in our nearest star system, is orbited by a rocky planet that is so similar to Earth that it could harbour life. The planet, dubbed ‘Proxima b’ is only four light years away, just next door in astronomical terms, and sits in a position known as the Goldilocks Zone, where the temperature is mild enough for water to remain liquid.
See the video here.
