Proxima Centauri is a red dwarf star located in the Alpha Centauri star system, which is the closest star system to our own solar system, at a distance of about 4.24 light-years away. It is a member of a triple star system that includes two other stars, Alpha Centauri A and B.
Proxima Centauri is smaller and cooler than our Sun, with a mass about one-eighth that of the Sun and a surface temperature of about 3,000 degrees Celsius. It is also much less luminous than our Sun, emitting only about 0.17% of its energy. Despite its small size, Proxima Centauri is still an active star, and its surface is covered with spots that are similar to sunspots on the Sun.
In 2016, astronomers announced the discovery of an Earth-sized planet orbiting Proxima Centauri. The planet, known as Proxima b, is located in the star’s habitable zone, where temperatures could allow liquid water to exist on its surface. This makes Proxima b one of the best candidates for the search for extraterrestrial life.
Proxima Centauri has been studied extensively by astronomers, including using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile. Observations of Proxima Centauri have revealed that it emits powerful flares and other forms of stellar activity, which could have a significant impact on the habitability of any planets in its system.
Overall, Proxima Centauri is an important star for astronomers to study due to its proximity to our solar system and its potential to host planets that could harbor life.