High School A terrestrial, temperate planet around Proxima Centauri

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Proxima Centauri, the closest star to the Sun, has been found to host a terrestrial planet, Proxima b, with a minimum mass of about 1.3 Earth masses, orbiting at a distance conducive to liquid water. This discovery, published in Nature, raises the possibility of a habitable environment, although the planet's 11-day orbit suggests it may be tidally locked, leading to extreme conditions on its surface. The planet's proximity allows for potential future observations using advanced telescopes like the James Webb Space Telescope, which could analyze its atmosphere for signs of life. Despite the challenges posed by high radiation levels from Proxima Centauri's flares, the adaptability of life could still allow for survival in harsh conditions. Overall, this finding marks a significant step in the search for extraterrestrial life.
  • #61
rollete said:
Wikipedia has a good article on Proxima Centauri.
In my opinion Wikipedia is a good place to start with any new enquiry.
Some people criticize it for being not guaranteed accurate, but then what is?:
 

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