You can watch this video to learn more about the Proxima Centauri-b exoplanet:
Proxima b, orbiting the star Proxima Centauri, is the closest known exoplanet to Earth, located just 4.2 light-years away. It’s a rocky super-Earth, meaning it’s larger and potentially more massive than our planet. While it orbits within its star’s habitable zone, meaning it could potentially support liquid water on its surface, its extreme stellar radiation and lack of a strong atmosphere make it challenging to consider truly habitable according to NASA Science.
Here’s a more detailed look:
- Proxima Centauri:This star is our closest stellar neighbor, located 4.2 light-years away.
- Proxima b:Discovered in 2016, it’s a super-Earth, meaning it’s more massive than Earth, with a mass estimated at 1.27 Earth masses.
- Habitable Zone:Proxima b orbits within its star’s habitable zone, where liquid water could exist on the surface.
- Extreme Radiation:However, Proxima Centauri is an M-type star, and its intense radiation, including extreme ultraviolet radiation, could strip away any atmosphere Proxima b might have.
- Lack of Atmosphere:Even if Proxima b has an atmosphere, it might be unable to retain it due to the intense stellar wind and radiation.
- Challenges to Habitability:The extreme radiation, lack of a strong atmosphere, and proximity to the star create challenges for Proxima b’s potential habitability according to NASA Science.
- Future Research:Despite these challenges, astronomers continue to study Proxima b and its star, hoping to learn more about its atmosphere, composition, and potential habitability.
