A Journey to Alpha Centauri | ESO

A Journey to Alpha Centauri | ESO

This video shows an imaginary journey from Earth to the Alpha Centauri system. As we leave the Solar System we see the familiar constellation figures including the Southern Cross (Crux) and the bright stars Alpha and Beta Centauri. As we approach Alpha Centauri, we pass a faint red star, this is Proxima Centauri, the closest star to Earth and the faintest component of a triple star system. The final part shows the bright double star Alpha Centauri A and B with the Sun visible in the background. Alpha Centauri B is known to be orbited by an Earth-mass planet, the closest exoplanet to the Solar System.

Distance: about 4 light years

Credit: European Southern Observatory (ESO)/L. Calçada/Nick Risinger

Duration: 1 minute, 10 seconds

Release Date: October 16, 2012

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