Proxima
Our nearest stellar neighbor
Proxima means nearest, from the Latin.
It appears almost exclusively in astronomical contexts, particularly in Proxima Centauri—the star closest to our solar system after the Sun.
The term distinguishes this small red dwarf from its companion stars Alpha Centauri A and B: Proxima is about four light-years away.
Closest star system
- exoplanetPlanet outside our system
- habitable zoneRegion allowing liquid water
- CentaurusSouthern centaur constellation
Low-mass, cool star
- habitable zoneRegion allowing liquid water
- convectionHeat transfer via motion
- main sequenceStable stellar burning phase
- photosphereStar's light-emitting surface
cool star · chromosphere · stellar wind · long-lived · dim · faint
State of being close
Voyaging between distant suns
- space probeRobotic interplanetary research vessel
- light sailSpacecraft propelled by photons
- SETIQuest for cosmic signals
- spectroscopyStudy of light-matter interaction
Alpha Centauri
Closest star system
- exoplanetPlanet outside our system
- habitable zoneRegion allowing liquid water
- CentaurusSouthern centaur constellation
red dwarf
Low-mass, cool star
- habitable zoneRegion allowing liquid water
- convectionHeat transfer via motion
- main sequenceStable stellar burning phase
cool star · photosphere · chromosphere · stellar wind · long-lived · dim · faint
nearness
State of being close
next · approaching · imminent · propinquity
interstellar travel
Voyaging between distant suns
- space probeRobotic interplanetary research vessel
- light sailSpacecraft propelled by photons
- SETIQuest for cosmic signals
- close proximityBeing very near
- forced proximityRequired physical or social nearness
- proximity sensorContactless object detector
- proximity mineExplosive triggered by nearness
- proximity alertSignal warning of nearness
- Proxima CentauriNearest stellar neighbor
proximate, proximity, approximate, approximately, approximation, approximative, proximal