39. Proxima Centauri

Alpha Centauri (Proxima Centauri's solar system) is the closest star system to us. Measuring four light years from Earth, or one parsec. Proxima Centauri is our sun's best friend, It has a low mass and is very small. Proxima Centauri's name comes from the Latin phrase, nearest [star] of centaurus.

Proxima Centauri was discovered in 1915 by the famous astronomer, Robert Inns. He discovered it through his telescope. You can't see Proxima Centauri with the naked eye because it is too small. You have to look very carefully with the telescope to see Proxima Centauri.

Proxima Centauri is a red dwarf star. Other kinds of stars include:

1. Yellow dwarf (this is our sun)

2. Red giant

3. Blue supergiant

4. Red supergiant

5. Blue hypergiant

6. Red hypergiant

These are just a few of all the kinds of stars! Anyway, red dwarfs are the longest living stars. They can live for longer than the universe!!

Have a look at the image above and the writing near the star. This is Proxima Centauri's two confirmed exoplanets. One is called Proxima Centauri B, while the other is known as Proxima Centauri C. Lots of astronomers think that there is another exoplanet or two orbiting the star. Mainly because one of the exoplanets has a wobbly orbit. Wobbly orbits are often a giveaway that there is another planet nearby because the other planet affects the gravity of the other planet.

Proxima Centauri B is a very interesting exoplanet. This is because it orbits Proxima Centauri at roughly 0.05 AU or 7.5 million kilometres which is in Proxima Centauri habitable zone. The Drake Equation could help in this puzzle of mysteries by giving us the probability of there being life on that exoplanet. But, because of the fact that Proxima Centauri is a red dwarf, it's habitable zone is just not big enough. It just can't produce enough light and heat.

Remember to look up at the stars every night.

Until next time, give me space!

Henry