Proxima Centauri
Sun's closest neighbor
Proxima Centauri is the closest star to our solar system, about four light-years away.
It's a red dwarf in the Alpha Centauri system, too dim to see without a telescope.
The name means "nearest of Centaurus." The star hosts at least one planet in its habitable zone, making it a focus of speculation about interstellar travel and extraterrestrial life.
Low-mass, cool star
- main sequenceStable stellar burning phase
- luminosityIntrinsic brightness of source
- photosphereStar's light-emitting surface
- chromosphereStellar atmospheric zone
corona · nuclear fusion · stellar wind · magnetosphere · variable star · low mass · cool star · infrared
Closest in distance
- light-yearAstronomical distance measure
- parallaxPosition change from different vantages
- interstellarBetween celestial bodies
- astronomical unitEarth-to-Sun distance standard
Region allowing liquid water
- Goldilocks zoneLife-permitting stellar region
- rocky planetSolid-surfaced orbiting body
- liquid waterH2O in flowing state
- circumstellarSurrounding a star
Voyaging between distant suns
- light sailSpacecraft propelled by photons
- spacecraftVehicle for outer space
- space probeRobotic interplanetary research vessel
- missionPurpose-driven task
journey · Alpha Centauri · destination · generation ship · voyage
Fit for dwelling
- lifeAnimate state
- biosignaturesDetectable signs of life
- extraterrestrialBeing from outer space
- atmosphereGaseous layer around planets
oxygen · carbon dioxide · water · climate · UV radiation · extremophiles · SETI
red dwarf
Low-mass, cool star
- main sequenceStable stellar burning phase
- luminosityIntrinsic brightness of source
- photosphereStar's light-emitting surface
chromosphere · corona · nuclear fusion · stellar wind · magnetosphere · variable star · low mass · cool star · infrared · Alpha Centauri
nearest
Closest in distance
- light-yearAstronomical distance measure
- parallaxPosition change from different vantages
- interstellarBetween celestial bodies
habitable zone
Region allowing liquid water
- Goldilocks zoneLife-permitting stellar region
- rocky planetSolid-surfaced orbiting body
- liquid waterH2O in flowing state
interstellar travel
Voyaging between distant suns
- light sailSpacecraft propelled by photons
- spacecraftVehicle for outer space
- space probeRobotic interplanetary research vessel
mission · journey · Alpha Centauri · destination · generation ship · voyage
habitable
Fit for dwelling
- lifeAnimate state
- biosignaturesDetectable signs of life
- extraterrestrialBeing from outer space
atmosphere · oxygen · carbon dioxide · water · climate · UV radiation · extremophiles · SETI
Proxima CentauriBetelgeuse
Red supergiant star
Rigel · Deneb · hypergiants · Polaris
Proxima, proximate, proximity, approximate, approximately, approximation, proximal, centaur, centaurs