Our earth's newest neighbour, Alpha Centauri is only 4.3 lightyears away, and the planet found orbiting one of it's three stars are nearly earth-sized, with an estimated mass of 1.13 times that of our planet. This is the first planet to be found similar to our Earth around a similar star like ours.
Other discoveries state that, if a star is orbited by a
small planet, it is likely to host others. So the Alpha Centauri system could easily have a planet within it's habitable zone, the distance from the star at which water can exist on a planet's surface - often considered a prerequisite for life.
It is unlikely the planet that's just have been discovered will be occupied - it is so close its star, Alpha Centauri B, that is surface will be scorched.
Source : Knowledge, Vol 5 Issue 1, page 18 "Meet Earth's Newest Neighbour"
small planet, it is likely to host others. So the Alpha Centauri system could easily have a planet within it's habitable zone, the distance from the star at which water can exist on a planet's surface - often considered a prerequisite for life.
It is unlikely the planet that's just have been discovered will be occupied - it is so close its star, Alpha Centauri B, that is surface will be scorched.
Source : Knowledge, Vol 5 Issue 1, page 18 "Meet Earth's Newest Neighbour"
Thanks for the information...
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