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Proxima Centauri

The closest star beyond the Sun. Proxima Centauri is a red dwarf and is far smaller, cooler, and less massive than the Sun. Proxima Centauri produces frequent outbursts of X-rays — big flares that could be deadly if you flew too close. It also has a strong magnetic field due to the hot gases rising from the star’s core, cooling as it reaches the surface, then dropping back to the center.

Radio Programs

Roswell Incident II The reality of star trekking July 7, 2022

Making Triplets Confirming that our neighbors are triplets June 3, 2022

Close Neighbors Goldilocks and the three exoplanets June 2, 2022

Nightlights Looking for the glow of alien cities October 22, 2021

Dangerous Neighborhood A dangerous neighborhood for a planet July 28, 2021

Proxima Centauri C Digging up a new planet August 24, 2020

Alpha Centauri Planets Looking for close neighbors June 10, 2020

Alpha Centauri Putting three stars on the scales June 9, 2020

Super-Earths Look! Up in the sky! It’s a Super-Earth! June 27, 2019

Evryscope Many eyes on the southern sky October 1, 2018

A ‘Proximate’ Orbit Making three stars a family April 25, 2017

Habitable or Not? Different outcomes for a nearby planet March 2, 2017

Featured Images

Artist's impression of the planet Proxima Centauri d

A Close Neighbor June 2, 2022