Evidence shows that there may be a small planet, Proxima b, orbiting Proxima Centauri, the Sun’s closest stellar planet and a frequently studied low-mass star. Even though discrepancies may occur in research, the big picture entails that with strict evidence and consistency, we can prove candidate planets and other features. We must have data from many sources that can prove each other consistent in order to make a conclusion on the basis of planets outside of our reach.
Proxima b’s key features include a mass of about 1.3 Earth masses, 11.2 day period, and an equilibrium temperature that allows water to be liquid on its surface. Data for this study comes from two radial velocity tools, High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher (HARPS) and Ultraviolet and Visual Echelle Spectrograph (UVES); both instruments come from European Southern Observatory (ESO). According to the article Planet Candidate Orbit[s] …show more content…
Much debate revolves around the idea of the planet sustaining an atmosphere and liquid water on its surface. Arguments against habitability include tidal locking, strong magnetic fields, and high ultraviolet and x-ray fluxes, but none have been proven definitive. Questions arise if these characteristics can support a stable atmosphere. Although some studies have shown that these characteristics together can help obtain a stable atmosphere. For example, “magnetic fields in tidally locked planets can be strong enough to prevent atmospheric erosion by stellar magnetic fields and flares” (__). Even with debate and confusion of a true habitable atmosphere, research both present and past show that there is a small planet, Proxima b, orbiting Proxima Centauri. Details of Proxima b include a semi-amplitude of 1.4 ms^-1, a mass of 1.3 Earth masses, a semi major axis of .05 AU, and that it lies squarely in the center of the classical habitable zone for
Proxima b’s key features include a mass of about 1.3 Earth masses, 11.2 day period, and an equilibrium temperature that allows water to be liquid on its surface. Data for this study comes from two radial velocity tools, High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher (HARPS) and Ultraviolet and Visual Echelle Spectrograph (UVES); both instruments come from European Southern Observatory (ESO). According to the article Planet Candidate Orbit[s] …show more content…
Much debate revolves around the idea of the planet sustaining an atmosphere and liquid water on its surface. Arguments against habitability include tidal locking, strong magnetic fields, and high ultraviolet and x-ray fluxes, but none have been proven definitive. Questions arise if these characteristics can support a stable atmosphere. Although some studies have shown that these characteristics together can help obtain a stable atmosphere. For example, “magnetic fields in tidally locked planets can be strong enough to prevent atmospheric erosion by stellar magnetic fields and flares” (__). Even with debate and confusion of a true habitable atmosphere, research both present and past show that there is a small planet, Proxima b, orbiting Proxima Centauri. Details of Proxima b include a semi-amplitude of 1.4 ms^-1, a mass of 1.3 Earth masses, a semi major axis of .05 AU, and that it lies squarely in the center of the classical habitable zone for