Proxima Centauri is one the star in Alpha Centauri system, it is a small red dwarf star located very close to us. It is located at a distance of about 4.2 light years from solar system. even though it is close it can't be seen with naked eye. In 2016 astronomers discovered a planet orbiting Proxima Centuari, named Proxima Centauri b. That planet was confirmed only a few days ago. But, now astronomers are conformed that they found another planet, which orbits Proxima Centuari . They named it as Proxima Centuari c.
Generally, exoplanets are discovered by using transit method in which sensitive instruments detect the fluctuations in wavelength of starlight caused by the planet passing in front of the star. But this method is only effective only when the position of the planets are aligned in the observable position with respect to the telescope. The Proxima Centauri planets were found using the radial velocity method. In this method, the planets exert the gravitational pull on stars and tugging it. The radial velocity method measures the star’s response to that tug, and that give a lot more information about the relative position of planet with respect to star.
It is nearly 7 times more massive then earth.
Another group of researchers believed that
Proxima Centuari C is almost 5 times larger then Jupiter, which is larger then previous measurements. But it is hard to determine how large it is as of now, it might be surrounded by huge ring of dust like saturn. But with the help of future telescope we will detemine the exact position and mass of Proxima Centuari C.
When a new star is discovered, the first question come to our mind, whether is it habitable? Proxima Centuari B has a mass nearly a size of earth and it is more or less habitable.
But even this red Proxima Centuari C has habitable zones? it can burst violently with its intense radiation, so it is doubtful that anything could survive here.
Generally, exoplanets are discovered by using transit method in which sensitive instruments detect the fluctuations in wavelength of starlight caused by the planet passing in front of the star. But this method is only effective only when the position of the planets are aligned in the observable position with respect to the telescope. The Proxima Centauri planets were found using the radial velocity method. In this method, the planets exert the gravitational pull on stars and tugging it. The radial velocity method measures the star’s response to that tug, and that give a lot more information about the relative position of planet with respect to star.
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| This image is a combination of images from the SPHERE instrument on the VLT, showing the position of Proxima Centauri two years apart. Image Credit: Nature Astronomy/Paul Woods 2020 |
Astronomers have certainly calculated the mass of the Proxima Centauri C through the SPHERE instrument on VLT
It is nearly 7 times more massive then earth.
Another group of researchers believed that
Proxima Centuari C is almost 5 times larger then Jupiter, which is larger then previous measurements. But it is hard to determine how large it is as of now, it might be surrounded by huge ring of dust like saturn. But with the help of future telescope we will detemine the exact position and mass of Proxima Centuari C.
When a new star is discovered, the first question come to our mind, whether is it habitable? Proxima Centuari B has a mass nearly a size of earth and it is more or less habitable.
But even this red Proxima Centuari C has habitable zones? it can burst violently with its intense radiation, so it is doubtful that anything could survive here.
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| An artist’s illustration of a red dwarf. Red dwarfs like Proxima Centauri are known for their violent flaring activity. Can their planets be habitable? Credits: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center |
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